The path to Carrington for Julian Nagelsmann seems to be fading, as the German is no longer considered a leading candidate for the Manchester United hot seat.
Despite the humbling back-to-back defeats to Como and Bournemouth, which extended the club’s winless run to eight, Michael Carrick has yet to be shown the door.
The 45-year-old is overseeing the first-team’s training session on Tuesday morning as usual. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the under-fire manager has been confirmed for Saturday’s away clash against Chelsea, as an official communication could arrive at any moment.
Julian Nagelsmann ‘unlikely’ to sign for Man Utd
Man Utd’s Head of Recruitment Christopher Vivell has been vouching for Nagelsmann (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
While Carrick’s fate remains shrouded in mystery, most sources agree that Eddie Howe is the favourite to replace the Wallsend native.
The 48-year-old is unattached, having left Newcastle in July, although the Magpies would be entitled to receive £3 million in compensation should the manager sign for another club.
Howe might be the first name on the shortlist of United’s Director of Football Jason Wilcox, but the club’s Head of Recruitment Christopher Vivell has been pushing for Nagelsmann.
The two German compatriots worked side by side at RB Leipzig, forming a solid understanding. The 39-year-old tactician is also unavailable after leaving his post as Germany’s head coach due to a disappointing World Cup campaign.
But according to The Athletic journalist Laurie Whitwell, Nagelsmann’s appointment is considered ‘unlikely’.
The source thus confirms that Howe is the leading candidate for the role. But first things first, Man Utd must decide to wield the axe on Carrick’s tenure.
Would Man Utd regret snubbing Nagelsmann?
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Curiously, some sources claimed that Vivell was against handing Carrick the permanent job in June despite the stellar work conducted as interim coach between January and May.
Therefore, the German director’s vision shouldn’t be undermined. He had also vouched for Nagelsmann at the time, but the latter was unavailable.
The 39-year-old rose to prominence in the managerial world at a very young age thanks to impressive stints at Hoffenheim and Leipzig. Pep Guardiola reportedly hailed him as an ‘extraordinary’ young manager.
However, Nagelsmann’s tenures at Bayern Munich and the German national team were far less fruitful, thus raising question marks about his ability to guide big teams to trophies.
At the age of 39, his ceiling is incredibly high, but at this early stage of his career, he might not be necessarily ready for the madhouse that is Man Utd.
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