Who could replace Michael Carrick? The contenders emerging for 'hardest job in world football' as Manchester United crisis deepens
The pressure is mounting on embattled Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick. The question is: How long before the Premier League club's hierarchy pull the pin?
United's crisis deepened on Thursday (AEDT) following ahumiliating 4-1 loss away to Serie A side Como in the UEFA Champions League. 'THAT'S ON THE MANAGER AND STAFF':Manchester United captain calls out embattled boss as pressure mounts after UCL humiliation Carrick is only months on from being rewarded with a permanent contract at Old Trafford after securing Champions League qualification but criticism is intensifying amid United's worst start to a season in 40 years.
The Red Devils - who have only won two of their 11 fixtures in 2026-27 - are winless in seven consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since a run of eight matches between November and December 2015. In the Premier League, they have managed to collect one win from seven fixtures.
While Carrick remains in charge, speculation surrounding his future has gathered momentum, with Brighton and Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler, former Chelsea and Inter head coach Antonio Conte and ex-Germany tactician Julian Nagelsmann among those linked with the position. "That is the hardest job in world football as far as I'm concerned, because the scrutiny that the club has and the spotlight it's under consistently," Australian legend Ange Postecoglou said on The Overlap podcast earlier this year.
"It's going to take a unique individual to be able to overcome all those things or a real discipline to say that we're going to say we are going to go down this path for a certain number of years." "It is unlikely there is going to be a quick fix. It is going to take a person as much a manager who can handle the 100 press conferences every year and winning 10 games and losing one and being torn apart for losing that one," he added.
"History being a constant companion to everything you do. It has to be a person who accepts all that and be strong enough as an individual to say I will do it, but I will do it my way." From established title winners to emerging coaching talents and familiar Old Trafford faces, here are the managers who could come into contention if United decide to make another change in the dugout.
Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton and Hove Albion) Hurzeler has emerged as one of the more intriguing names linked with United as uncertainty grows over Carrick's future, and you only have to look at Brighton to see why. The 33-year-old German has turned Brighton into a Premier League force this season, and a team to watch with a number of eye-catching performances.
Brighton and third and five points off the pace thanks to a solid structure, on and off the pitch. Hurzeler has established a reputation as one of European football's most promising young coaches, having guided St Pauli to Bundesliga promotion before making the move to Brighton in 2024.