Manchester United are waiting until the summer to hire a new permanent manager in the cool-headed Michael Carrick, while Tottenham Hotspur have sacked Thomas Frank.
Michael Carrick impresses as Manchester United’s calm figurehead – they don’t need the disruption that alternatives bring (Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Roberto de Zerbi has some prominent backers as his chances of becoming the next Manchester United manager. These include the likes of Jaap Stam and Marcel Desailly.
But the problem for the Italian is that such support does not extend to those making the big decisions at Old Trafford. And this is how it should be. De Zerbi is one of several potential candidates to replace Ruben Amorim at United on a permanent deal. However, he is not eligible to approach the shortlist.
What has he done to deserve one of the most demanding and difficult jobs in world football? Will he end up winning the Ukrainian Super Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk in 2021 after several seasons in charge of one of the lowest clubs in Italian football? no.
Did it take Brighton to the FA Cup semi-finals and progress to Europe on the back of some great recruitment by those behind the scenes? no.
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read more: Tottenham finally sacks Thomas Frank as Spurs move closer to the relegation zoneread more: Roberto De Zerbi sensationally leaves Marseille after being linked with a move to Manchester United
De Zerbi got his first chance at a big club when he left Brighton to join Marseille in June 2024. In his first year in charge, he led Marseille to second place in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint-Germain.
However, this year’s Champions League was a disaster, with PSG scoring five goals and Marseille suffering their worst ever defeat in Le Classic, and he was sacked after less than two years in charge.
As always, the decision was said to have been made by “mutual agreement.” However, it is understood that De Zerbi had no say in the matter. When president Pablo Longoria convened a board meeting following the club’s blowback in Paris, a debate was inevitable.
Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with Manchester United (Image: 2026 Xavier Reign)
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De Zerbi has proven to be an unstable character in the past. People who tend to get angry when they don’t get what they want. The pressure of turning Marseille into a team capable of challenging PSG for the title was too much for him.
So how can he cope with the expectations that come with running a club like United? They haven’t come close to winning the Premier League since 2013.
De Zerbi is the opposite of United’s caretaker manager Michael Carrick, who was unbeaten in his first five games. To calm your mind, read “Chaos”.
The Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are looking for someone with proven qualifications who can handle everything that comes with running United. And De Zerbi is far from that man.
He is the favorite among bookmakers to become Tottenham’s next manager following the sacking of Thomas Frank. And if that happens, it will be an advantage for United.
Because while Tottenham’s manager may only be on De Zerbi’s level, United will never be.
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