Manchester United have appointed Michael Carrick until the end of the year and appointed Steve Holland as his assistant, leading to suggestions Gareth Southgate could be tempted in the future.
Michael Carrick has been appointed as Manchester United manager until the end of the year (Image: PA)
Jamie Redknapp believes Manchester United’s appointment of Steve Holland as assistant manager could be a side plan to bring Gareth Southgate to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils hired Michael Carrick as manager until the end of the season and surrounded him with impressive thinkers. The Dutchman is a former Chelsea and England No. 2 and is one of the players with a wealth of experience.
His most impressive achievements came alongside Southgate in England, helping them reach two major tournament finals. They left the role in the aftermath of Euro 2024 and Southgate has not had a new managerial job since.
The former England manager has been linked with a Manchester job in the past. He was defended by former Old Trafford boss Dan Ashworth, with Redknapp claiming Holland’s signing could ultimately lead to Southgate’s appointment.
“The first thing everyone does now is put two and two together and say ‘he worked with Gareth Southgate’,” he told Sky Sports. As a matter of fact, I think Gareth Southgate would be their choice if they could get that appointment done. However, I don’t think the fans want that, and that’s the difficult part. I think Jim Ratcliffe likes Gareth Southgate, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. ”
read more: Rio Ferdinand wants Manchester United to appoint a permanent manager after holding confidential talks with the clubread more: Michael Carrick says ‘unbelievable’ comments in first interview as interim manager of Man United
For now, Carrick will have to make the decision. He was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s assistant and was in charge of three games following the Norwegian’s sacking, during which time he was unbeaten. His immediate task is to qualify for the Champions League.
“I think it’s a wise appointment,” Mr Redknapp said. “You’re talking about Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who was interim before too. He did well. I thought he was the smarter of the two. I’ve met Michael, I’ve played against him. He’s a student of the game. He knows the game inside out. I think he’ll just do his best to get them into the top four or five.”
Steve Holland will take up the Manchester job after a long stint working alongside Gareth Southgate in England (Image: Getty Images)
“If he can achieve Champions League football, I think it would be a great achievement for him. He did a really good job at Middlesbrough. He couldn’t get the team into the Premier League, so I think he’ll do a good job.”
Carrick is one of the candidates to take over at his old club, despite only being in charge until the end of the season. Despite the difference being just a stop away, the club indicated they would change course depending on the result. Solskjær was only part of the team on an interim basis in 2018, but his impressive results earned him the permanent job.
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