Mikael Silvestre has admitted he would return to Manchester United as a director of football to work alongside manager Michael Carrick, becoming the third former Red Devils player to offer his services to the club.
Silvestre's Executive Ambitions
The Frenchman spent nine trophy-laden seasons at Old Trafford, with his last two years at the club spent as a teammate of Carrick. After retiring from football in 2014, Silvestre opted against coaching and instead pursued an executive role, becoming director of football at Rennes—the club where he began his professional career. He most recently served in the same position at Romanian club CFR Cluj.
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, Silvestre said: "I earned my coaching badges but it's not for me. I'd prefer the Director of Football role which I did at Rennes after I completed my Masters in sports management. I will go and watch United in September and observe training but like all former players I look out for all my clubs, although I look out for United more specifically than others. I played for them for nine years, after all."
Carrick's Coaching Team Already Full
Despite his willingness, Silvestre acknowledged that Carrick's current coaching setup may not have room for newcomers. "Would these former players come back to Manchester United to work under Michael Carrick? I don't know because I believe his coaching team is already full. It's a department that has everyone it needs so I don't see anybody coming in from the outside to offer something extra," he added.
The director of football role Silvestre covets is currently held by Jason Wilcox, who was promoted months after the departure of Dan Ashworth.
Rooney and Valencia Also Keen
Silvestre is not the only former United alumnus to offer his services. Wayne Rooney, who has not returned to management since his ill-fated stint at Plymouth Argyle in 2024, said joining Carrick at United would be the only role that would lure him from his current punditry work. Speaking in January, the United icon stated: "Of course I would. It's a no-brainer. I'm not begging a job here by the way. Just so everyone knows, if I was asked to go in of course I would. Appointing the manager is the most important thing."
Antonio Valencia, who spent nine years in the dressing room with Carrick, also expressed his desire to return. Currently working for Telemundo Deportes covering the World Cup, the 40-year-old told Hajper: "Yes, I would go back. Manchester United is a club that gave me so much. My family was very happy there. I would work for Manchester United in any role, out of passion. It is a club I love a lot. I think everything they are doing is going well. But if they called me, I would go running."
