Enzo Maresca tipped to become new Manchester United manager in shock twist after Chelsea exit

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Evening Standard

·5 janvier 2026

Enzo Maresca tipped to become new Manchester United manager in shock twist after Chelsea exit

Ex-Blues boss could be a surprise option to succeed Ruben Amorim, having also been linked with Manchester City job

Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been linked with the Manchester United job following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, with some bookmakers even making him the new favourite for the role.

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Maresca and Amorim are very early Premier League managerial casualties to open 2026, with Maresca leaving Chelsea after 18 months in charge on New Year’s Day following a disappointing run of results and swift breakdown in his relationship with the club hierarchy that led to crisis talks.

The Italian’s exit was followed four days later by that of Amorim, who was sacked by United following 14 months at the helm less than 24 hours after an explosive press conference at Elland Road that followed the 1-1 draw with rivals Leeds in the Premier League.

While Chelsea look poised to move quickly to appoint Liam Rosenior from sister club Strasbourg as their new head coach ahead of Wednesday’s west London derby at Fulham, United are being tipped to name an initial interim successor to Amorim before making a permanent appointment in the summer.

Club legend and current lead under-18s coach Darren Fletcher will take charge for the midweek visit to relegation-threatened Burnley in the top-flight.

Betfair have made Maresca the new favourite to take over from Amorim on a full-time basis for next season, following multiple reports that he could yet be in the running.

talkSPORT claim that the former Leicester boss has admirers at Old Trafford amid close links to United director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada, who both worked with him at Manchester City.

Maresca was rumoured to have already spoken to City more than once about their managerial post in the event that Pep Guardiola chooses to step down at the end of the season, having also attracted interest from Serie A giants Juventus.

Oliver Glasner is also being heavily linked with the United job, with his contract at FA Cup winners Crystal Palace expiring in the summer and the Austrian not expected to sign an extension.

A range of other managers are also being mentioned in connection with the vacant United position, including England bosses past and present in Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel.

Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi, Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, Barcelona legend Xavi, Fulham’s Marco Silva and Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna are just some of the names being mentioned, among several others.