Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Manchester United will evaluate Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi as candidates for their next permanent manager in the summer. The club, currently led by interim boss Michael Carrick, prioritizes candidates with Premier League experience following disappointing stints by previous managers. Both Tuchel and De Zerbi were previously considered in 2024.
Manchester United has begun the early stages of searching for a permanent manager to take over in the summer, with trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano guaranteeing that Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi are prominent on the shortlist. Speaking on YouTube, Romano stated, “Two names I can guarantee will be considered by INEOS are Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi.” He added that both were on the club's radar in the summer of 2024, when United met with them before deciding to retain Erik ten Hag.
The current setup sees Michael Carrick, aged 44, in temporary charge after succeeding Ruben Amorim. Carrick edged out Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the interim role, with club legend Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly favoring him. Carrick aims to prove himself worthy of the permanent position, but his prospects depend on the team's performance, particularly in securing Champions League qualification, which United views as achievable.
Tuchel, currently England boss, is focused on the upcoming World Cup and cannot commit to anything beforehand. De Zerbi, thriving at Marseille, has impressed with his work there and previously at Brighton, where his style earned praise. Both candidates share Premier League experience, a key criterion after the failures of Ten Hag and Amorim. Tuchel notably won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021.
Other names under consideration include Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola, and Mauricio Pochettino, all with top-flight English experience. Romano described the process as a “long process,” allowing time for evaluation without rushing, especially with Carrick installed as interim.
