Thomas Frank
February 2026
Spurs dismissed Frank after a dismal eight-match winless run, leaving them five points above the relegation zone and without a league win in 2026. The club says results and performances forced the board to act despite backing him since his June 2025 appointment. Reporting says Tottenham are now working through contingency plans for the replacement.
Roberto De Zerbi
February 2026
Marseille ended De Zerbi’s tenure by mutual consent after a 5-0 loss to PSG. He leaves with the club fourth and 12 points off the top, after finishing second last season. The decision followed heavy pressure after an early Champions League exit and the collapse in Le Classique, where De Zerbi apologised for the performance. Marseille’s statement says leadership agreed a change was needed for the run-in.
Michael Owen
February 2026
Owen predicts United could be back challenging for the league in one or two years, pointing to improved performances under Carrick and a summer rebuild that could accelerate the timeline. He notes the title has not returned since Ferguson left in 2013. Owen says United still need “surgery” in the squad, with Casemiro expected to leave and uncertainty around Fernandes. He argues the current league season looks set for a low winning points total, so a well-run summer window could turn United into a real contender quickly.
Rio Ferdinand
January 2026
Ferdinand says chronic back issues from his playing career can flare up suddenly and become so severe he needs hospital treatment and sometimes a wheelchair. He describes years of medication and injections during his career as contributing to ongoing problems. He says he has started regular physiotherapy and a more joined-up training approach, sharing information between physio and trainer to reduce flare-ups. He also frames staying active as important for family example-setting and his own mental balance.
Michael Owen
January 2026
Owen argues United should not automatically chase a big-name coach if Carrick keeps this level and delivers Champions League qualification. He says the performances look more stable and confident than anything United have shown in years. His view is that United have tried every manager profile for over a decade, and replacing a working interim solution risks repeating the same cycle. He frames Carrick’s fit, calm control, and player buy-in as reasons to commit if results hold.
Jose Mourinho
January 2026
Reports claim the federation expects to offer Mourinho the Portugal manager role after the World Cup. He is currently Benfica coach on a two-year deal, but the federation is said to view him as the next cycle’s headline appointment. The same report suggests Benfica would then need a successor, with Ruben Amorim floated as the obvious option due to his ties to the club and strong domestic reputation. Mourinho has publicly said international management is a goal, with Portugal his preferred first step.
Luis Enrique
January 2026
Luis Enrique responded to Manchester United speculation by stressing he is happy at PSG, with reports indicating an extension may be coming. Asked directly about his future amid United’s search for a permanent manager, he gave a clear message of contentment in Paris. In parallel, Carrick reiterated he is focused on improving United and accepts the club’s longer-term decision will be made later.
Michael Carrick
February 2026
Manchester United’s tentative talks about a revenue-friendly Middle East exhibition match have been paused, with Carrick’s appetite for the trip reportedly lower than under Amorim. Amorim previously argued the club needed commercial fixtures after missing Europe, but the current plan has been deprioritised. With a schedule gap after the West Ham match and before Everton, Carrick is instead expected to give the squad time off rather than travel.
