Roberto De Zerbi: Dream scenario emerges for Man United to land top head coach target | OneFootball

Manchester United’s path to appointing Roberto De Zerbi as their next head coach is becoming clearer, if reports from France prove accurate.

Before the 2026-27 season kicks off, the Red Devils are expected to have secured the ultimate replacement for Ruben Amorim.

For now, Michael Carrick is the man steering the ship at Old Trafford. The legendary United midfielder has stepped in as caretaker head coach until the end of the campaign.

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Carrick would undoubtedly relish the chance to keep the job, and the team’s performances will inevitably strengthen or weaken his case. Yet as he attempts to prove himself worthy of the permanent role, other elite tacticians continue to be linked.

One coach INEOS are believed to be monitoring closely is Olympique de Marseille’s De Zerbi.

The Italian tactician is highly regarded at Old Trafford. Before joining the Ligue 1 side, he was even packaged as the ideal successor to Erik ten Hag.

De Zerbi a long-term INEOS target

There were suggestions that he had been offered a contract to replace the Dutchman, but he instead pressed ahead with a move to France.

Months later, after trying to appoint De Zerbi, Ten Hag was eventually dismissed, paving the way for the disappointing Amorim era, which ended with his sacking earlier this month.

While the identity of Amorim’s successor remains uncertain, De Zerbi is firmly among the favourites.

The former Brighton manager’s Premier League pedigree and tactical acumen continue to appeal to United’s hierarchy.

However, prising him away from Marseille was always going to be complicated. United would need to pay off the French club, and even then, De Zerbi himself was thought to be reluctant to leave the Orange Vélodrome.

Yet Marseille’s frustrating Champions League campaign may have altered the landscape entirely.

De Zerbi facing the sack

Finishing 25th in the Champions League group stage and failing to progress has forced OM’s decision-makers to consider dismissing De Zerbi.

As highlighted by Fabrice Hawkins and echoed by Give Me Sport:

“Roberto De Zerbi in serious jeopardy after Marseille’s Champions League exit. Talks ongoing between all parties to reach a decision.”

It would be a harsh end to De Zerbi’s project in Marseille, but as ambitious as they are, who can blame them.

Dream scenario for United

For United, however, this could be the dream scenario. If De Zerbi is released from his contract and becomes a free agent, the tactical genius Pep Guardiola once labelled “unique” could finally warm to the idea of taking charge at M16.

The 20-time English champions may not have to pay a release fee at all. Instead, it could simply come down to agreeing on personal terms with the Italian, and he steps in to become United’s next head coach.

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