Manchester United’s coaching appointment failures since Ferguson’s departure
An ESPN analysis reviews Manchester United’s record of appointing managers since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, arguing that a flaw has recurred in the club’s decisions. Michael Carrick’s future is in doubt after one win in his last nine league matches, according to the source.
An ESPN analysis reviews Manchester United’s record of appointing managers since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, arguing that a flaw has recurred in the club’s decisions. Michael Carrick’s future is in doubt after one win in his last nine league matches, according to the source.
According to the report, David Moyes was not Ferguson’s first-choice successor, as the club contacted several managers before appointing him. After Moyes was sacked following ten months, Louis van Gaal was appointed, followed by José Mourinho, even though Mauricio Pochettino had been recommended by prominent figures. After Mourinho’s departure, the club appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as permanent manager following a successful interim spell, having backed away from pursuing Pochettino because of the cost of compensation.
The analysis says the cost of appointing Pochettino also helped tip the balance in favour of Erik ten Hag over his rival, before the Dutch manager was sacked in October 2024. Ruben Amorim then took charge, before he was dismissed in January and replaced by Carrick. The report concludes that recent appointments have favoured managers lacking Premier League experience, and presents Carrick’s retention or departure as a test of the club’s ability to change its approach.