Just in: Departing 43-year-old emerges as Carrick’s biggest threat for Man Utd role | OneFootball

While Michael Carrick could be the leading candidate for the permanent role at Manchester United, Andoni Iraola could still pip him for the job.

The Red Devils sacked Ruben Amorim in January and brought in Carrick as an interim coach until the end of the season.

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The 44-year-old has been making the most out of this unexpected opportunity. He has thus far won nine of his first 13 matches in charge, while losing only two, and drawing as many.

Andoni Iraola posing a threat to Michael Carrick’s confirmation at Man Utd

Thanks to his remarkable results, Carrick has placed Man Utd in third place, with only one win away from sealing mathematical qualification for the Champions League.

Therefore, most pundits and observers believe Carrick has done enough to earn himself a permanent contract.

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The 44-year-old’s chances have also been boosted by the unavailability of some of the biggest names in football management, the likes of Thomas Tuchel (England), Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil), and Luis Enrique (PSG), who are all expected to prolong their current tenures.

And yet, INEOS could still launch a casting, even if it features less prominent profiles than the ones mentioned above.

According to the Telegraph journalist Jason Burt, Iraola is now a genuine candidate for the Man Utd role, even if Carrick remains the ultimate favourite.

The source insists that the Spanish tactician can be considered the Englishman’s most concrete challenger for the role.

The Premier League giants have decided to delay any decisions until they officially book their place in the Champions League next season.

But with this achievement looming ever closer, we can expect some major developments on this front in the coming days and weeks.

Why Man United are considering Iraola

Since taking over Bournemouth in 2023, Iraola has established himself as one of the most exciting up-and-coming head coaches in the Premier League.

The 43-year-old saw some of his finest players getting sold in recent years, including Antoine Semenyo and Milos Kerkez. And yet, the Cherries continue to register impressive results under his guidance. He would like to bow out with a historic European qualification.

While it remains to be seen if the Spaniard will achieve this objective, his departure from Vitality has long been announced, with Marco Rose arriving as a replacement.

As the source explains, Iraola, who is enticed by the possibility of living in London, has two capital suitors in Chelsea and Crystal Palace.

The former midfielder’s dream role would have been at Athletic Bilbao, where he had spent the bulk of his playing career. However, the Basquan club has already reached an agreement with Edin Terzic.

The Telegraph also points out that those close to Iroala refuse to label him as a ‘project’ coach who is stubborn in his ideas, insisting he’s much more pragmatic than he’s perceived.

Nevertheless, many would struggle to understand the logic of ditching Carrick, who knows the club inside out and has already shown so much promise in his first three months at the club, in favour of an even younger manager with zero experience at managing big clubs.