Michael Carrick has been named as Manchester United’s new interim head coach until the end of the season, but Xabi Alonso has been linked with taking up permanent tenure this summer
Manchester United will break a long-standing tradition if they take on Xabi Alonso as a permanent head coach this summer. Michael Carrick was named in the interim on Tuesday evening, securing a deal which will see him at Old Trafford until season’s end.
However, speculation is still rife with regards to who United will hire for the long-term in a matter of months, given Carrick is largely viewed as a short-term option in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s sacking earlier this month. A number of names have been linked with the vacancy, including Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann, Xavi, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Enrique.
However, four of those five have seemingly been ruled out as of recent due to a lack of Premier League experience. Earlier this month, David Ornstein claimed that United solely are looking for a manager with past Premier League experience to succeed Amorim.
It comes as a move in a new direction after both the Portuguese tactician and Erik ten Hag failed to adapt to on of the world’s most demanding leagues. Ornstein told The Athletic: “That Premier League experience is crucial, Amorim didn’t have it, Ten Hag didn’t have it, but the rumblings coming out of United in the last 24 hours is that Premier League experience is going to be very important to them.”
If Ornstein’s claims ring true, then it means that Nagelsmann, Xavi, Zidane and Enrique will not be considered to take up tenure at Old Trafford – regardless of their incredible resumes. That would also leave Alonso as the only remaining contender from the group.
However, making such a move doesn’t come without its worries. While United have recruited ex-Liverpool staff in the past, including fitness coach, Andy O’Boyle, they have never appointed a former player of their bitter rivals as a head coach.
Considering Alonso plied his trade at Anfield for five years between 2004 and 2009 and is remembered as a club hero by supporters, United fans could give a little pushback at the idea of the Spaniard becoming United manager. That hesitance, of course, could also be viewed as justified if the 44-year-old’s past comments about the club are anything to go off.
Speaking in 2022 after returning to Anfield for a charity game, Alonso said: “Once a Red, always a Red. It’s not a logo, I think it’s a reality. Not just my case, I think that most of us feel really close to the club.
“Wherever you are in the world, Liverpool fans remember you and they keep you closer to the club. That’s the best thing of Liverpool. All the support and all the family that’s around the world.”
However, should Alonso remain out of a job until the summer, then it’s an appointment that wouldn’t cost United a penny to make in terms of club compensation – a far cry from the reported £9.25million they paid to bring Amorim in from Sporting CP back in November 2024.
It comes as Alonso became a free agent on Monday, when he parted ways with Real Madrid after just seven-and-a-half months at the helm – a day after a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Taking to Instagram in the wake of his departure, he wrote: “This chapter of my career has come to an end, and it hasn’t gone as we would have liked.
“Coaching Real Madrid has been both an honour and a responsibility. I thank the club, the players, and above all, the fans and Madrid fans for their trust and support. I leave with respect, gratitude, and pride that I did my best.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
