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.
– Ogden: Man United must go big with next manager after firing Amorim
– Marcotti: Unpacking Man City-Chelsea, Amorim out at Man United, more
– Dawson: The inside story of why Man United sacked Ruben Amorim
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.
2:44
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.
Sports
Harry Kane calf injury imperils Bundesliga record chase
Harry Kane will miss Bayern Munich‘s game against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday with a calf injury in a blow to his hopes of breaking the Bundesliga record for most goals in a season.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said on Thursday the problem wasn’t serious but means Kane will play no part in Friday’s game, which could see Bayern open up a 14-point lead at the top of the table.
“He got a knock on his calf and hasn’t recovered yet,” Kompany said. “It’s nothing serious for the time being but we’d need maybe another a day for him to be involved. We’re pretty relaxed. Of course we would have liked Harry to be involved but these things happen.”
Kompany didn’t express concern Kane would miss Bayern’s visit to Atalanta in the Champions League round of 16 next week.
Kane has scored 30 goals in the Bundesliga and is 11 short of Robert Lewandowski‘s record of 41, with 10 games remaining.
Bayern will also be without Hiroki Ito and Alphonso Davies for Friday’s game, Kompany said.
Bayern, the defending Bundesliga champions, have an 11-point lead at the top of the table after beating second-placed Borussia Dortmund 3-2 last Saturday.
“We’ve had an 11-point lead before and we know how quickly that can change,” said Kompany.
“We’re just looking at our performance and our victories. I looked at the table once after the game against Dortmund and it looked good. But after that, once again the only thing that mattered was Gladbach. It sounds like a cliche, but it’s a way of life for me.”
The Associated Press and PA contributed to this report.
Sports
India beat England to set up T20 World Cup final with NZ – SUCH TV
An explosive half-century by in-form opener Sanju Samson, backed by a disciplined all-round bowling display, helped India secure a narrow seven-run victory over England in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
The victory propelled India into the final, where they will be locking horns with New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Set to chase a daunting 254-run target, England could accumulate 246/7 in their 20 overs despite Jacob Bethell’s gutsy century.
England got off to a dismal start to the pursuit as they lost opener Phil Salt (five) and captain Harry Brook (seven) inside five overs with just 38 runs on the board.
Following the early dismissals, Bethell walked out to bat at No.4 and shared a 26-run partnership for the third wicket with Jos Buttler, who made a 17-ball 25 before falling victim to Varun Chakravarthy on the penultimate delivery of the batting powerplay.
England then suffered another setback to their run chase in the eighth over when Axar Patel cleaned up Tom Banton (17) after being hit for two consecutive sixes, and consequently slipped to 95/4.
Bethell then eventually received formidable support at the other end in the form of all-rounder Will Jacks, and the duo displayed grit to keep England in the hunt as they put together 77 runs off just 39 deliveries amid their fifth-wicket partnership, which culminated with the latter’s dismissal in the 14th over.
Jacks made a notable contribution for England in the run chase with a 20-ball 35, comprising four fours and two sixes.
Bethell then shared a 50-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Sam Curran, who fell victim to Hardik Pandya in the penultimate over after scoring a 14-ball 18.
England’s batting mainstay Bethell eventually got run out on the first delivery of the final over and walked back after top-scoring with a valiant 105 off 48 deliveries, featuring eight fours and seven sixes.
Pandya was the standout bowler for India, taking two wickets for 38 runs in his four overs, while Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with one apiece.
England captain Harry Brook’s decision to field first backfired as the home side piled up 253/7 in their 20 overs.
India, however, had a contrasting start to their innings as their left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma (nine) was dismissed by Will Jacks in the second over with just 20 runs on the board.
The early setback, however, did not bother India as their top-order duo of Ishan Kishan and Samson raised 97 runs for the second wicket off 44 deliveries until Adil Rashid dismissed the former, who remained a notable contributor for the co-hosts with an 18-ball 39.
Samson was then involved in a 43-run partnership for the third wicket with all-rounder Shivam Dube until eventually falling victim to Jacks in the 14th over. He remained the top-scorer for India with a blazing 89 off 42 deliveries, studded with seven sixes and eight fours.
India suffered another major setback to their batting expedition an over later when Adil got their captain Suryakumar Yadav stumped, who could score 11 off six deliveries.
With the scoreboard reading 190/4 in 15.4 overs, Dube was joined by fellow all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the middle, and the duo put together 32 runs for the fifth wicket before the former was run out due to a mix-up, coupled with a direct hit by England captain Brook.
Dube remained a significant run-getter for India in the high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 fixture, scoring 43 off 25 deliveries with the help of four sixes and a four.
Following his departure, Pandya and Tilak Varma ensured an equally dominant finish with the bat for India with blistering cameos, contributing 27 and 21, respectively. The duo also shared a 24-run partnership.
For England, Jacks and Adil bagged two wickets each, while Archer could pick up one.
Sports
Athletics GM ‘always open’ to Kyler Murray reunion ahead of expected Cardinals release
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Kyler Murray’s tenure with the Arizona Cardinals is coming to an end.
The team reportedly informed the former No. 1 overall pick this week that he will be released at the start of the new league year, making him a free agent eligible to sign with any team, including, potentially, one in Major League Baseball.
Prior to declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft, Murray was a two-sport athlete playing both football and baseball for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Heisman Trophy winner threw for over 4,000 yards and 42 touchdowns during the 2018 season, but the then-Oakland Athletics still selected him with the 9th overall pick in the 2018 draft.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws a pass during the first half of an NFL game against the Tennessee Titans in Glendale, Ariz., on Oct. 5, 2025. (Rick Scuteri/AP)
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He signed a contract with a $4.66 million signing bonus, but Murray would forgo his senior year at Oklahoma and declare for the NFL Draft. After seven years in the NFL, Murray’s MLB career still remains a possibility.
“Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career,” A’s general manager David Forst told MLB.com on Wednesday.
“That said, he and his baseball representatives know that we’re always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A’s if that time ever comes.”

Kyler Murray, the Oakland Athletics’ No. 1 draft pick and outfielder from the University of Oklahoma, looks on during batting practice before the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on June 15, 2018. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Murray, 28, will likely have several options during the offseason. He is currently owed $36.8 million.
His career with the Cardinals has been marred by injuries and other controversies, including the study clause that was initially included in his five-year, $230.5 million deal signed in 2022. The clause was later removed. He appeared in just five games last season after suffering a foot injury, which later landed him on injured reserve.
The Cardinals finished 3-14 behind backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett and later fired head coach Jonathan Gannon.

Kyler Murray, the Oakland Athletics’ number one draft pick and outfielder from the University of Oklahoma, takes batting practice before the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on June 15, 2018. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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“To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Murray posted in a farewell message to fans on social media. “I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77-year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us. I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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