Michael Carrick reacts to being in the spotlight as a leading contender for the Manchester United head coach role beyond this season, while noise continues in the background about other potential candidates.
The contender list for the Manchester United head coach role has changed a lot since January, when Ruben Amorim was sacked.
Carrick was appointed on an interim basis, but wasn’t deemed a top contender for the permanent role, like Oliver Glasner and Roberto De Zerbi were at the time, as per reports.
Fast forward to the beginning of May, and United are sitting third in the Premier League, after securing Champions League qualification. It’s proof that Carrick has made a strong case for the permanent position.
Michael Carrick has now beaten Liverpool, City, Arsenal, Villa, and Chelsea – Do you want him to be the permanent manager?
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Michael Carrick unnerved by contenders for Man Utd job
Carrick has always been a calm character as a player and coach.
So, when asked about United eyeing up other coaches, it doesn’t come as a surprise to hear Carrick is unnerved by it all.
Carrick stresses that he won’t take his eye off the ball. His job now is to finish the season as strongly as possible, with the objective being third place after booking our spot in the Champions League for next season.
“No, genuinely not,” Carrick told reporters when asked if it is difficult or unnerving that the job is being discussed externally with other candidates.
“Whether it’s discussed or not discussed, it hasn’t bothered me, it hasn’t changed literally how I go about it.
“I’ve been confident in the work that we’re doing and working with the players and leading the club, so it literally hasn’t had any effect on me at all no.”
United fans remain mixed on who they think is the right man to take the team forward.
Luis Enrique is an unlikely target because he is likely to sign new terms at PSG after leading them to consecutive Champions League finals.
Furthermore, United are unlikely to hire a coach working at the 2026 World Cup.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Michael Carrick unnerved by talk of head coach candidates for Man Utd job
- The 44-year-old remains focused on his job as United’s interim head coach until the end of the season
- Carrick wants to finish third in the Premier League
Michael Carrick reacts to support from Man Utd players
There has been overwhelming public support from the United dressing room for Carrick to remain in the hot seat beyond this season.
Casemiro is the latest to back Carrick, but the departing midfielder isn’t alone.
Amad is supporting Carrick too, so when asked about the support from his players, the former midfielder added: “I think as a coach or manager and a leader of a group, you’re only a leader of a group if people want to follow you really.
“It’s not a thing that you can talk about so much, it’s actions kind of prove that. So when I feel the support and I feel that the boys are all connected, not so much with me, but showing it together on the pitch is the most important thing, really and they’ve clearly shown that in different ways.
“That’s the most pleasing thing and then we try to guide them and help them in certain ways. But yeah, it’s satisfying when you can see them putting it together as a team.”
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