Sports
Who will be Man United’s next manager? 12 top candidates to replace Amorim
Manchester United are searching for their seventh new manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 following Monday’s dismissal of Ruben Amorim. Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team on an interim basis for Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Burnley and the FA Cup third-round tie at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday. But sources told ESPN that United have yet to decide whether to make a permanent appointment quickly or wait until the summer, when an array of big-name coaches could become available after the FIFA World Cup.
Who are the likeliest candidates to be the next manager at Old Trafford? Here are the two short lists that United could be working off: one for an immediate hire, and one if they choose to wait until the end of the 2025-26 season.
Immediate candidates
Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace coach is out of contract at Selhurst Park at the end of this season and has yet to negotiate a new deal. Glasner’s stock is rising rapidly after winning the FA Cup last season and taking Palace into the UEFA Conference League. He also won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022, so has proved himself as a trophy winner in his last two jobs.
The 51-year-old favors a three-man defense, like Amorim, so if United want to continue that model, he would be a good fit. He’s also likely to be available now due to his contract situation.
3:04
Who could become Amorim’s successor at Manchester United?
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens assess the managerial options available for Manchester United after sacking Ruben Amorim.
Kieran McKenna, Ipswich Town
The 39-year-old has guided Ipswich Town to two promotions and was interviewed for the Chelsea job in 2024 before former coach Enzo Maresca’s appointment. Having worked at United as part of Jose Mourinho’s and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching teams, McKenna has knowledge of many of the existing players and youth prospects at Old Trafford.
Ipswich are pushing for promotion back to the Premier League this season, but United would likely be too big a job for McKenna to turn down if they come calling.
Gareth Southgate, unemployed
The former England manager has been out of the game since stepping down from his Three Lions role after Euro 2024. The 55-year-old has shown no inclination to return to management since, but after guiding England to two Euro finals and the 2018 World Cup semifinal, he has admirers at Old Trafford.
Southgate is available and therefore would not involve a compensation fee; if he is interested, he would be an immediate contender.
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Xavi, unemployed
The former Barcelona coach guided Barca to the 2022-23 LaLiga title during a three-year stint at Camp Nou, but he has been out of work since leaving the club at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Xavi, 45, is keen to work in the Premier League, and his availability would make him an attractive candidate. But with his lack of experience against Premier League opponents and managing the fixture workload, Xavi might have too many negatives for United to accept considering their past two appointments — Amorim and Erik ten Hag — struggled to adjust to the demands of the English top flight.
Michael Carrick, unemployed
Carrick has had one previous spell at interim manager at United, taking charge of three games in 2021 following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The 44-year-old has since had a three-year spell managing Middlesbrough in the EFL Championship.
Having left Boro at the end of last season, Carrick hasn’t yet shown a desire to return to management, but his knowledge of the United squad and the club would mark him out as a safe pair of hands to guide the team until the summer before handing over to a permanent appointment.
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Were Manchester United right to sack Ruben Amorim?
Mark Ogden reacts to Manchester United sacking Ruben Amorim after 14 months at the club.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, unemployed
Solskjaer remains a hugely popular figure among the United fan base after his feats as a player in Ferguson’s treble-winning 1998-99 team, but he also won admirers for overseeing an attacking style in his three years in charge as manager from 2018 to 2021.
United finished as 2020-21 Premier League runners-up under Solskjaer, but the team lacked defensive solidity and he exited in November 2021 after a series of heavy defeats, including a 5-0 loss at Old Trafford to Liverpool. Solskjaer most recently was in charge of Turkish club Besiktas, but after leaving them in August, he is available for an unlikely return to United.
Enzo Maresca, unemployed
Maresca is out of work after leaving Chelsea last week. In his 18-month stint at Stamford Bridge, he delivered success in the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup. His availability would make him an obvious candidate, and Maresca also worked closely with United CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox when all three men were employed by Manchester City. But Maresca’s philosophy of a possession-based game might not work with the squad of players at United.
Summer candidates
Thomas Tuchel, England
The England manager spoke to United about succeeding ten Hag in summer 2024 before opting against a return to club management. With his Three Lions contract due to expire after the World Cup, he would be potential summer hire.
Tuchel, 52, ticks every box for United — he won the Champions League with Chelsea and has also managed Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. However, his reputation for being outspoken and challenging his bosses could lead to fireworks behind the scenes.
Mauricio Pochettino, United States
The U.S. coach is under contract until after the World Cup, but sources told ESPN that the 53-year-old will be open to a return to club management when his international commitments come to an end.
United have considered Pochettino three times over the past 10 years, and he was on a two-man short list with ten Hag in 2022 before missing out to the former Ajax coach. With his Premier League credentials and his experience at big clubs such as PSG, Chelsea and Spurs, Pochettino would be a good fit for United.
2:04
Laurens: Ruben Amorim’s Man United departure was not a surprise
Julien Laurens and Gab Marcotti react to Manchester United sacking Ruben Amorim and recap the events leading to his exit.
Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil
The 66-year-old is contracted to coach Brazil until after the World Cup, but if United want an experienced coach with a stellar track record, Ancelotti is the obvious candidate.
A multiple Champions League winner with AC Milan and Real Madrid with further big club experience at Bayern Munich, Juventus, PSG, Napoli and Chelsea, Ancelotti also worked in more constrained circumstances at Everton. He would command big wages and would expect United to sign better players, but with him at the helm, the club would become more attractive to potential signings.
Julian Naglesmann, Germany
The Germany coach is under contract until Euro 2028, but his future could depend on the outcome of his team’s World Cup campaign.
Still only 38, Nagelsmann has rebuilt his reputation in the Germany job after his turbulent 18-month spell at Bayern Munich ended with him being fired in 2023. Earlier success at TSG Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig made Nagelsmann one of Europe’s most sought-after coaches, and his stock remains high within the game.
Andoni Iraola, AFC Bournemouth
The Bournemouth coach has earned praise for his work at the Vitality Stadium, turning the Cherries into a team that consistently overperforms its budget.
Whether his high-energy style would work with the existing United squad is a question mark. However, as a coach with proven Premier League experience, Iraola will be under consideration at United.
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President Donald Trump‘s granddaughter, Kai Trump, revealed on social media Wednesday she underwent surgery to repair a wrist injury.
Kai is an active golfer and made her LPGA debut in November at The Annika in Belleair, Florida.
“Today, I underwent left wrist surgery to address injuries to the stabilizing tissues of my ECU tendon and damage to my fibrocartilage complex. The surgery was successfully performed at the Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute by Dr. Thomas Graham, Chief of Jefferson Orthopedics. I look forward to my rehab in the coming months, I am excited for the ability to play golf pain free,” she wrote.
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Donald Trump, center, walks with granddaughter Kai Trump during the ProAm ahead of the LIV Golf Team Championship Oct. 27, 2022, at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Doral, Fla. (Michele Eve Sandberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The teen wore a bandage on her wrist during a recent interview on Logan Paul’s podcast, “Impaulsive.”
Trump finished in last place at The Annika but made a notable improvement in her second day of competition compared to her first day, improving by eight strokes.
She finished with a two-round score of 18-over 158, putting her 27 shots behind leader Grace Kim (65-66) and 17 away from the projected cut line at one over par.
KAI TRUMP, GRANDDAUGHTER OF DONALD TRUMP, REVEALS SHE ‘100%’ WANTS TO BE A PRO GOLFER
Kai Trump making her LPGA debut as an amateur at The Annika at Pelican Golf Club. (Accelerator)
“For the first day, I was definitely really nervous. I think the nerves just got to me,” she said. “When I went out there today, I felt very calm and peaceful, to be honest with you. That’s why I played better.
“I did everything I could possibly have done for this tournament. So, I think if you prepare right, the nerves can … they’re always going to be there, right? They can be a little softened. So, I would just say that.”
Trump’s performance earned the praise of women’s golf star Charley Hull, a supporter of the president.
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Kai Trump hits a shot on the 18th hole during the second round of The Annika golf tournament at Pelican Golf Club. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
“That’s really good considering this is not just an easy LPGA event. This is probably one of the harder courses that we play on,” Hull said of Trump, per Golf Channel.
“So, for her to come out, she had to be so nervous. It was her first LPGA event. I remember my first event. I was really nervous, and she’s got a lot of pressure on her and a lot of eyes on her.”
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PGA America CEO Derek Sprague, is stepping away from his role after one year to help support his mother and mother-in-law.
Sprague said he realized he needed to spend more time at home after his daughter’s wedding.
“At my daughter’s wedding last month in upstate New York, it became clear that my family needs me nearby to assist with the care of my mother and mother-in-law,” Sprague said in a statement. “Focusing on family has become my priority, and the best decision for me is to step away from my role as CEO and return home to be with them.”
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Derek Sprague announces on the first hole during the a.m. foursome matches for the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis., Sept. 24, 2021. (Montana Pritchard/PGA of America)
Sprague took over in January 2025, becoming the first club professional in 20 years and the first PGA president appointed to the role. He informed the PGA of America board in early December he needed to go home to Malone, New York, and said he would stay on in an advisory role until his successor is found.
Sprague, who served as PGA president from 2014-16, was selected as CEO to replace Seth Waugh, the former Deutsche Bank Americas CEO who had been lured out of retirement in 2018.
PRO GOLFER JHONATTAN VEGAS WEIGHS IN AFTER TRUMP ORDERS ‘LARGE SCALE STRIKE’ IN VENEZUELA
Derek Sprague, CEO of the PGA of America, speaks to the media prior to the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte, N.C., May 13, 2025. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Waugh had been grooming Craig Kessler, the PGA’s chief operating officer, as a potential replacement, but the PGA board opted for one of its members. Kessler was appointed LPGA commissioner last summer.
Sprague stepping down extends the turnover in golf’s executive leadership. Brian Rolapp took over in August as CEO of the PGA Tour Enterprises, Kessler joined the LPGA in July and Mark Darbon is just over a year into his role as CEO of the R&A.
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Derek Sprague, PGA of America CEO, attends a press conference beside the Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course Sept. 17, 2025 in Farmingdale, N.Y. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Sprague was the PGA of America executive who reached out to Rory McIlroy to apologize for the verbal abuse that he and his wife endured at Bethpage Black during the Ryder Cup. McIlroy’s wife, Erica, previously worked at the PGA of America, and McIlroy said Sprague “couldn’t have been more gracious” in what he described as a “lovely letter.”
He was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2019.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Alabama‘s Ty Simpson, who is projected to be among the first quarterbacks selected in this year’s NFL draft, is passing up his senior year of college and turning pro.
Simpson wrote in an Instagram post that included a narrated video: “Grateful for every single second. Blessed beyond measure to be able to chase my dreams. Time to roll. Roll Tide.”
“It wasn’t all perfect, and it didn’t have to be, but every moment had meaning, and I gave Alabama my all,” Simpson said in the video. “And I got so much more in return. Coach [Nick] Saban was right — it was all worth it.”
Simpson, who started just one season for the Crimson Tide, informed Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb of his decision Wednesday, sources told ESPN.
Simpson’s father, UT-Martin football coach Jason Simpson, said his son received first-round grades from every NFL general manager they contacted.
“Nobody said second round,” Jason Simpson told ESPN.
ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Ty Simpson as the third-best quarterback eligible for the draft, behind Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza of Indiana and Oregon‘s Dante Moore, who haven’t yet declared.
Jason Simpson said his son also had offers to transfer to other Power 4 schools. Sources previously told ESPN that Miami, Oregon and Tennessee were interested in signing Simpson if he entered the transfer portal.
“There were very, very lucrative opportunities to play another year of college football,” Jason Simpson said.
Ty Simpson, a junior from Martin, Tennessee, completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2025, leading the No. 9 Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record.
After getting off to a sizzling start and being mentioned among the leading Heisman Trophy contenders, Simpson struggled late in the season, as Alabama’s lack of a running game put more pressure on him to produce in the passing game.
In the Crimson Tide’s final four games, Simpson completed 57% of his attempts for an average of 158.3 yards with six touchdowns and one interception.
Simpson suffered a cracked rib in the first half of a 38-3 loss to No. 1 Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl. He said the injury occurred after he took a helmet to the rib while scrambling for a first down late in the first half. He completed 12 of 16 passes for 67 yards against the Hoosiers.
Simpson signed with Saban out of high school in 2022. He was a backup for three seasons before finally replacing Jalen Milroe, who was selected in the 2025 draft by the Seattle Seahawks, as the starter this past season under DeBoer.
“You coach players and help them reach their goals and dreams,” Jason Simpson said. “Yes, they would love for him to come back. But if you’ve got an opportunity to go be a first-round pick in the NFL draft, you go. That’s why they pour all that into you, for that individual opportunity, so I really appreciated them.”
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