The majority of the football world was shocked that Real Madrid had started talks with Jose Mourinho over a return to the club, but what exactly does it tell us as Manchester United looks set to appoint Michael Carrick as the new permanent head coach?
Manchester United will begin formal talks with Michael Carrick ahead of next week’s season finale against Brighton.
With United securing Champions League qualification under Carrick, the 44-year-old has made a strong case to remain in charge, with a lack of elite head coaches emerging as potential options.
United fans still have many valid questions when it comes to Carrick being the right man for the long-term future, but that doesn’t change that he is deserving of an extension when his deal as interim head coach expires at the end of the season.
Michael Carrick and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are set for ‘formal talks’ over the Man Utd job / What is your reaction?
Real Madrid believe Jose Mourinho is better than other coaches on the market
Luis Enrique and Carlo Ancelotti are common exceptions for many of those backing Carrick to get the job beyond this season.
Other than those two, it would feel harsh on Carrick to see United offer it to someone else.
They are also unrealistic because Ancelotti recently signed new terms to remain Brazil coach after the 2026 World Cup, and Enrique looks destined to sign an extension after leading Paris Saint-Germain to consecutive Champions League finals.
That is why I am intrigued by Real Madrid’s pursuit to hire Jose Mourinho for a second time, especially when the thought of him being back at Old Trafford would be enough to give Luke Shaw nightmares.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Mourinho has entered the final stages of talks with Madrid over returning as manager.
Real Madrid is presenting itself as a circus at the moment with fallings-out between key squad members, but Florentino Perez seemingly believes Mourinho is the man to restore the team to the top of Spanish and European football.
It begs the question as to whether Real Madrid considered any of the other coaches who have been linked with United. Those include Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann and Andoni Iraola, who is leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season.
This suggests that none of the so-called emerging elite coaches out there appeal to Real Madrid or United, so they are both going for options they know. Mourinho previously won the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey at the Bernabeu,
Mourinho may have left people unhappy at most of the clubs he has worked at, but the former United manager still has a respected reputation in the game.
This isn’t an attempt to say Mourinho isn’t an elite manager after winning everything in the game, but the lack of other options means Carrick has a golden opportunity to prove he can become an elite coach at the top of the game.
🎤 What do you want to hear from Michael Carrick in his end of season speech to fans after the final home game?
Alvaro Arbeloa unable to replicate Michael Carrick
Alvaro Arbeloa stepped in as interim head coach after Real Madrid sacked Xabi Alonso in January.
Opting for another former player, just like United did after sacking Ruben Amorim, Real Madrid did not get the same results, and the season ended as a disaster.
Kylian Mbappe has upset people at Real Madrid, while Aurelien Tchouaméni had a bust-up with Federico Valverde.
Arbeloa’s record as Real Madrid interim head coach is 15 wins, two draws and seven defeats.
The biggest achievement was leading Real Madrid to the quarter-finals, although that was deemed failure at the La Liga club.
Real Madrid are currently second in La Liga after Barcelona were crowned champions.
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