Recruitment chief Christopher Vivell champions Julian Nagelsmann for the Manchester United hot seat. Friends from their Red Bull days, Vivell's influence grows.
While Manchester United's first-team squad are focused on finishing the season in the Champions League qualification spots, those on the board are turning their head toward the summer.
The club have already started making significant transfer plans, with it decided that two or three midfielders could be signed to replace the departure of Casemiro and the possible sale of Manuel Ugarte.
United are also being linked with moves for a new left winger and possibly a new left-back, as they look to cover other areas lacking depth and quality.
However, the most immediate and pressing decision is who to hire as the head coach. Michael Carrick has been fantastic since stepping into the role in January, but no decision has been made on the long-term successor to Rúben Amorim.
Sources: Vivell pushing for Nagelsmann
Earlier this week, reports suggested United had drawn up a shortlist of seven managerial candidates they had conducted background checks on: Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique, Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola, Unai Emery, and Julian Nagelsmann.
Roundtable understands that, within this list, United's head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, has been pushing hard behind the scenes for his compatriot, Nagelsmann.
Vivell and Nagelsmann are known to be friends from their time together within the Red Bull set-up, and the former's word carries significant weight at Old Trafford, particularly after he pushed for Senne Lammens and Benjamin Šeško in the summer.
While those at Old Trafford have stressed that no final decision has been made and no formal interviews have been conducted, it is clear that the debate over United's next permanent head coach is underway.
What has Ornstein heard?
David Ornstein is one of the world's most renowned football insiders, and the coveted journalist recently spoke on The Athletic about United's managerial hunt.
Ornstein revealed on Thursday that United's background checks for all its managerial candidates have been completed, and that he believes United would pick Carrick over several other current candidates.
“The way things are going, I don't see United picking the likes of Iraola, Glasner or Silva ahead of Carrick,” Ornstein explained.
“Although if they miss out on the Champions League, I assume they would all come into play. That's why we'll have to be a bit patient.
“I hear United have completed all of their background work and no doubt spoken to representatives, although I'm told no interviews with candidates have taken place yet; if they had, we would probably have heard whispers at the very least.
“It's a huge call for United and their sporting director, Jason Wilcox - he's leading the process and will make a recommendation to the board. As things stand, it might feel like Carrick is in pole position... however, nothing has been decided and therefore it could, of course, end differently.”