Archie Griggs – Zinedine Zidane
United have appointed different types of managers over the years, but none of them have worked out. So why not try something out of left field?
Zinedine Zidane has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, but although he has plenty of experience winning trophies, he has probably forgotten more about football than many would like to know. When it comes to big-name appointments, it’s not that big of a deal.
While his arrival will revitalize the club as a whole, there are arguments that it will paper over the rift with the real issues in the boardroom.
Jack McEachen – Roberto de Zerbi
Ole Gunnar Solskjær appears set to play the remainder of the season, but United are clearly discounting the chance of keeping him for much longer. It’s very unlikely that going back will work.
United need a charismatic leader, someone who is willing to fight for the team. Roberto de Zerbi is just that guy.
He is not afraid to say what he thinks, which may strike fear into the INEOS leadership who recently sacked Ruben Amorim for such behavior, but the ‘yes man’ will never work at United.
De Zerbi stabilized Marseille’s fallen giants and returned them to their rightful place towards the top of Ligue 1 and competition in Europe. Moreover, all neutrals would like to see his style of football return to the Premier League after his glorious days at Brighton.
Amos Murphy – Enzo Maresca
If it were up to the Premier League writers, the recently departed Chelsea manager (and let’s not forget the former Manchester City manager) would replace Man United’s Ruben Amorim. It’s a deep story, but it makes a lot of sense.
Forget Oliver Glassner. He’s a pragmatic, defense-first coach, the kind of guy who would have the Old Trafford faithful yawning over their half-time pies and cups of Bovril. In fact, if INEOS want to stay true to their so-called ‘Man United DNA’, Maresca is their best bet at the moment. The recent 4-4 draw with Bournemouth showed that United have a wealth of attacking talent in their squad and need the right people to coax it out of them. Amorim wasn’t that kind of guy, but maybe Maresca will be.
Charlie Mallam – Oliver Glasner
Man United are right to take a slow approach to appointing a new permanent manager. The market is not very good right now. But in the summer, many elite coaches could be available. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer understands the pressures of being United’s manager, including constant media duties, and is a wise interim manager, having built an exciting United side and achieved a top-four finish. Ole could leave the club in a better place than taking over.
As for the permanent position, I think Oliver Glassner makes a lot of sense. United are currently building a team tailored to Ruben Amorim’s style of play. Glasner has used similar tactics at Crystal Palace, with greater success in lesser teams. But importantly, he has also shown more flexibility than Amorim throughout his career. What’s more, his contract expires in the summer, but he has enjoyed remarkable success with each of his last three clubs: Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt and Palace. From OGS United to OG United?
