Michael Carrick's managerial hopes rise as Chelsea's top target, Andoni Iraola, emerges as the favourite for their vacant post, potentially clearing his Manchester United path.
Who would you like for the next long-term manager?
Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick is without reassurance for his job next season, as the board are yet to announce the club's next long-term manager.
The current state of the manager market in football is a volatile one, as we've seen with Liam Rosenior, who, despite signing a six-year contract, lasted only 23 matches and three months, after recording just one win in eight games.
Carrick will feel he has done all that he can to secure the permanent position, considering the atrocious state United have been in over the past couple of years, as he pushes for that long-term role.
The 44-year-old has been handed a huge boost as Chelsea search for a new manager, as one of United's top targets has been named 'favourite' for the Chelsea position.
Iraola 'favourite' for Chelsea job
According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea are 'frantically trying to lock down a figure who can finally restore order, bring back the fierce, winning atmosphere at the Bridge'.
Therefore, CaughtOffside has identified two names as possible frontrunners for the Chelsea job, and as an instant replacement for interim manager Callum McFarlane, who will likely go back to the under-21s after his tenure is over.
Cesc Fàbregas has been touted as a 'very serious target' for the London club, as his work with Como has been nothing short of spectacular, with the Italian side pushing for a place in the Champions League next season.
But the named 'favourite' is a Premier League familiar, Andoni Iraola, who has decided to leave Bournemouth at the end of this season, after guiding the Cherries to their most successful period in the club's history.
Prying Iraola from Bournemouth will be no easy feat; the Cherries are looking to secure European football for the first time in their history, and I'm sure Iraola would like to leave Bournemouth with the means to establish themselves in Europe.
All this has given Carrick a massive advantage for the long-term United job, as his competitors for the role are sparking interest from other massive clubs. But has he done enough to be awarded the job?
Has Carrick done enough?
The 44-year-old has established himself as a cult hero at the club, signing in 2008 to complement the legendary Paul Scholes, and Carrick lasted until 2018, when he retired to become assistant manager to fan-favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
Carrick's short tenure this season has been impressive to say the least, guiding United into the top three in the Premier League, and surely securing Champions League qualification.
In that period, the football has been simplified, players are being played in their natural position, and talents like Kobbie Mainoo have reemerged as regulars in the starting eleven, leading the club to eight wins, two losses, and two draws.
It's fair to say that Carrick has steadied the ship, but looking forward, fans are questioning whether he has sufficient managerial experience to sustain this string of form.
Unlike contenders for the permanent role, like Iraola or Julian Nagelsmann, Carrick has only had one previous job, where, despite performing really well at Middlesbrough, he failed to meet expectations at the club by taking them up.
If this form continues, it will be hard to ignore Carrick as a serious candidate for the permanent position, and fans may debate this notion, it must be said he does deserve it.