German national team boss emerges as a top target as Manchester United continue their search for a permanent manager.
It has been a near-perfect start to life as interim Manchester United boss for Michael Carrick. An unbeaten run, 13 points from 15, wins over the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal, and winning Premier League Manager of the Month for January.
The gaffer has put Kobbie Mainoo straight back into the XI, and has also made Harry Maguire a regular starter again. Those two have been doing so well that, alongside Luke Shaw, they have put themselves back into the England picture for the World Cup.
So, the good times seem to be back. Pretty much everything has gone right so far, individually and collectively, other than the draw at West Ham United. Even then, it was a credible point away to a much-improved side of late.
Nevertheless, the reports to external managers continue to circle. Of late, Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti had been linked, with the former now ruled out having officially signed a two-year contract extension with the England national team.
Well, one more manager from a country competing at this summer’s World Cup has now come up indeed, as Julian Nagelesman of Germany is said to “feature highly” for United’s managerial position, as per the Manchester Evening News.
Despite being just 38 years of age, Nagelsmann is already someone with a wealth of experience. He became the youngest Bundesliga manager in history when he took over as Hoffenheim boss at just 28, and has since managed RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and now the German national team.
Back in 2020, he led Leipzig to their first-ever UEFA Champions League semi-final, knocking out Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid along the way. His Germany side reached the quarter-finals of the Euros on home soil in 2024 and were unlucky not to beat Spain, bowing out right at the end of extra time.
Again though, the timing could be awkward. With the World Cup this summer, Nagelsmann may not even be available until the end of July, by which time pre-season would have been well underway.
You do wonder how Carrick feels about the club still having a managerial search despite his good form so far. Though there is a non zero chance he does not want the job longer than this season, and it is always good for the club to be prepared for any scenario.
If he does well and keeps the job, great, no harm done. If a successor is needed this summer, they will have clearly already done their due diligence on who they will be bringing in, so let's see.
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