If it is up to Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Enrique will be the new manager of Manchester United. Sky Sports reports that the Portuguese attacker has put forward the current Spain coach as his desired successor to the fired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Manchester United previously announced that an interim manager is currently being sought, who must take over Solskjaer’s duties until the end of the season.
That Enrique is the favorite candidate for Ronaldo is somewhat surprising as the two have not worked together before. The 51-year-old Spanish trainer had successively under his wing Barcelona B, AS Roma, Celta de Vigo and Barcelona, before he started as national coach of Spain. His contract with the Spanish Football Association will run until after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, meaning he will be on hold until December of the following calendar year.
Zinedine Zidane was most often named as Manchester United’s new manager after the 4-1 defeat to Watford that topped Solskjaer. While the former Real Madrid coach is reportedly eager to join Manchester United, he preferred not to step in mid-season. Zidane planned a one-year sabbatical after his departure from Real last summer. In addition, his wife Veronique would not like to live in Manchester.
The Athletic also mentioned the name of Julen Lopetegui, the trainer of Sevilla since 2019. Sky Sports adds the names of Erik ten Hag (Ajax), Brendan Rodgers (Leicester City) and Mauricio Pochettino (Paris Saint-Germain). However, according to the press release released by Manchester United on Sunday morning, Solskjaer will receive a temporary successor until the end of the season.
Michael Carrick must bridge the period in which Manchester United are looking for an interim manager, who must work at Old Trafford until the end of the season. Carrick was already working for Manchester United. Carrick, former midfielder of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, among others, has been active as an assistant at Old Trafford since the summer of 2018, initially alongside Jose Mourinho and later alongside Solskjaer.