Manchester United are set to begin the search for a new manager after sacking Ruben Amorim on Monday.
Amorim’s difficult spell in charge at Manchester United has come to an end after 14 months, following a breakdown in his relationship with the board.
The Portuguese coach was unhappy with his role in the aftermath of this weekend’s draw at Leeds, insisting he had taken over the club to be ‘manager’ and not ‘head coach’.
United are now assessing options to replace Amorim. Here are the early favourites for the role.
The leading candidates to replace Ruben Amorim as Manchester United manager
Gareth Southgate – 12/1
Out of work since leaving his role with England after Euro 2024, Southgate has been regularly named as a potential candidate for the Manchester United job in recent years.
Ally Dan Ashworth’s exit after a short-lived reign as sporting director has somewhat quietened that noise, but Southgate is likely to be a coach on the club’s radar.
Despite leading England to successive European Championship finals and earning praise for his uplift of the culture with the Three Lions, the 55-year-old’s lack of club experience counts against him.
Xavi Hernandez – 10/1
The sort of name that would command instant respect in the dressing room. Xavi’s reputation as a player precedes him, while he’s gained good grounding in management.
After learning his trade at Al-Saad in Qatar, the Spaniard returned to his former club Barcelona and led the Catalans to La Liga title success in 2022/23.
The kind of pressure involved at Manchester United can only be replicated at a handful of clubs – with Barcelona among them.
Laurent Blanc – 10/1
A title winner with multiple clubs and a coach with experience of both Manchester United and the Premier League.
Blanc won four Ligue 1 titles across spells at Bordeaux and Paris Saint-Germain, and lifted the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad last season before being sacked in September.
Though a potential calming influence, the 60-year-old is another who would represent risk, given he has just a single season of coaching in Europe – the 2022/23 season with Lyon – across the last decade.
Enzo Maresca – 6/1
Recently departed from Chelsea, could Enzo Maresca swap one of the Premier League’s most chaotic sides for another?
The Italian has a good résumé under testing circumstances, leading Leicester to promotion to the Premier League in his solitary season with the club, before taking the reins at Chelsea.
His debut season saw Maresca lead the West Londoners to the Europa Conference League, Club World Cup, and Champions League qualification.
For all of the vast money spent in West London, Maresca did well to find some cohesion. The club’s scattergun recruitment drive, with a focus primarily on emerging talent, was dictated to him from above.
How would he fare with greater control over signings?
Oliver Glasner – 4/1
Perhaps the standout candidate among those currently coaching in the Premier League, following his exceptional work at Crystal Palace.
Glasner has achieved two things with Palace that Amorim failed to do at Manchester United: winning a major trophy and finding success in a 3-4-2-1 system.
The Eagles overachieved last season to win the FA Cup, the first-ever major trophy in the club’s history, to secure a maiden European campaign in 2025/26.
The South Londoners sit 14th this time around in the Premier League, as they juggle the dual commitments.
Glasner has been vocal about the need for depth to be added in January, so could his head turn if reinforcements don’t arrive?
Darren Fletcher – 2/1
Darren Fletcher has been handed the role on an interim basis and will lead the side against Burnley in midweek.
The Scot, who made 342 appearances for Manchester United as a player, has been coaching the club’s U-18 side this season, having held previous roles including first-team coach and technical director.
Manchester United confirm Darren Fletcher will take over on an interim basis 🔴 pic.twitter.com/juxq5ANs9C
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 5, 2026
Fletcher is well-versed in the club’s principles, but United have been down this road before. With no senior experience, it would be a statement to appoint him permanently.
Read –Â Manchester United issue statement after ‘reluctantly’ deciding on Amorim exit
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