Man Utd to ruthlessly snub Sir Alex Ferguson enter as new supervisor search takes new twist
The Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are not keen on getting Sir Alex Ferguson’s input on what could be a defining decision for Manchester United in their search for a new permanent manager
Manchester United chiefs have no intention of seeking advice from Sir Alex Ferguson on the appointment of their next permanent manager.
The Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who own the club, are not keen to involve Fergie in what could be a pivotal decision for the Red Devils’ future. United are set to unveil an interim boss next week, with a full-time successor to be announced in the summer.
Top contenders include Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti and Mauricio Pochettino. The club will be appointing their third full-time gaffer since 2024 – and seventh since Fergie hung up his hairdryer in 2013.
Fergie is known to be a big fan of Pochettino and has previously advocated for him to take the United reins. The Scot also shares a close bond with Italian trophy magnet Ancelotti.
However, United’s top brass, including CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, believe they can make the right call without Fergie’s input.
In 2024, Ratcliffe and INEOS ended Fergie’s contract as a global ambassador for the club as part of cost-cutting measures at the English powerhouse.
Despite this, Fergie continues to loom large at the club where he clinched 38 major trophies during his 26-year tenure.
He regularly attends matches and even dropped by the Carrington training ground a day after Amorim was given the boot to chat with senior club officials.
The decision to bypass Sir Alex Ferguson in the consultation process is seen by some as a significant slight. However, nothing would prevent Fergie from reaching out to club officials with his views, should he wish to do so.
This move comes hot on the heels of a scathing comment from former United captain Roy Keane, who likened his ex-manager’s continued presence at Old Trafford to an unpleasant odour.
Keane, a seven-time Premier League champion with United, didn’t mince words during his appearance on Sky Sports on Thursday night: “Who is making the decisions at United, you have still got Ferguson and David Gill hanging around like a bad smell.
“Who is making the decisions? [Sir Jim] Ratcliffe, Wilcox? Who is going into the interview process, getting a feeler for them and saying, ‘this is the guy for us’.”
Keane himself suggested that the Red Devils should consider Newcastle boss Eddie Howe to turn their luck around. He endorsed: “I’d go with Eddie Howe. I like him”.
“I like what he’s done. He’s managed a lot of games. When his teams are at it, they’ll play good football. He has his critics, but I like what he’s done at Newcastle.
“He’s managed seven or 800 games. He’s still a young man. I love his calmness. Maybe Man Utd need a little bit of that.”
