Manchester United are still yet to decide on who their next permanent manager will be, but Fabrizio Romano has revealed one exciting Michael Carrick alternative is keen to take the job.
Carrick had looked to be strongly in pole position to be named as United‘s next permanent boss after taking 23 points from a possible available in his opening 10 Premier League matches in charge, having replaced Ruben Amorim on a caretaker basis in January.
There may well be more doubts among the Red Devils’ fanbase following Monday night’s defeat to Leeds United however, with the hosts dominated by their relegation-threatened opponents in the opening 45 minutes at Old Trafford.
United were unable to pull the 2-0 deficit around, especially after a red card for Lisandro Martinez, but they still remain in a comfortable position to qualify for the Champions League next term.
United lie seven points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea with half-a-dozen matches left to play, knowing that a top-five finish will be enough for a return to the Champions League for the first time since they were eliminated in the old format of the group stage of the competition in 2023.
Romano: Andoni Iraola ‘Open’ to Man United Job
While Carrick has made himself a frontrunner for the job, United will be considering other options too, both in the Premier League and abroad.
Someone who is likely to at least be on their radar is Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, who it was confirmed this week will leave the Vitality Stadium when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Spaniard is likely to be linked with bigger Premier League clubs and those in his home country too, and while Romano confirms that he has heard nothing about potential links between Iraola and United, he says the 43-year-old would be keen on the vacancy.
Romano said: “From now to the end of the season, Man United will make a decision on their permanent manager, but at the moment, I’m not aware of Man Utd negotiating with Andoni Iraola.
“If you ask me, ‘Would Andoni Iraola like to be the next Manchester United manager?’ I’m told that he would be open to that for sure. But at the moment, nothing more than this.“
“Let’s see what Man Utd decide to do with Michael Carrick, but the feeling remains optimistic and positive around him.”
Iraola Would be a Carrick Upgrade
Iraola will be in demand throughout Europe this summer, simply because of the incredible job he has done with the Cherries.
Sky Sports pundit Sam Tighe told GIVEMESPORT previously that the Spaniard is the ‘best young coach in the world’, and he has certainly shown signs of that with the south coast outfit.
Bournemouth are currently on a 12-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, the longest of any team in the top flight, and it is something that has been achieved despite the departure of key attacker Antoine Semenyo in the January transfer window.
Iraola has had to become used to losing his best stars, like Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen, although he can’t fault the club’s recruitment when players of the calibre of Rayan have arrived.
Iraola would be an interesting candidate for United, but whether he would be ahead of the likes of Carrick and Julian Nagelsmann in the running remains to be seen.
He should be though, because his tactical acumen, experience as a Premier League manager and how he is viewed as one of the best young managers in Europe make him an upgrade on Carrick as an appointment.