Manchester United have been advised to make a sensational move for decorated Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti as their next permanent manager, following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.
Ancelotti Tipped as United's Saviour
Former England and Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has publicly backed Ancelotti to take the reins at Old Trafford, claiming the veteran boss can 'spread magic' at the club. Allardyce's comments come in the wake of a turbulent period for United, who sacked Amorim at the start of this week.
Currently, Darren Fletcher is in interim charge and will lead the team for their FA Cup third-round clash against Brighton on Sunday. The club is expected to appoint former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or ex-player Michael Carrick – or a combination of both – as caretaker managers next week to see out the remainder of the season.
However, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is anticipated to pursue a major managerial appointment in the summer. Allardyce, speaking on the Footy Accumulators No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, believes Ancelotti is the ideal candidate.
A Serial Winner with Unmatched Pedigree
Ancelotti, who is currently the head coach of the Brazilian national team and will lead them at this summer's World Cup, boasts an incredible CV. He has managed some of Europe's most prestigious clubs and has secured a staggering 30 major trophies, including a record five UEFA Champions League titles.
"If you tried to go for a top manager now, would they want to go to Manchester United? That’s the sad thing," Allardyce questioned. He then pointed to his own experience being succeeded by Ancelotti at Everton as evidence of the Italian's calibre. "He can spread magic on Manchester United because of his man-management skills, not his coaching. He’d be the man to go in after the World Cup. I think he’d jump at the chance."
Allardyce Advocates for Fletcher Over Solskjaer
In a surprising twist, Allardyce also urged the United hierarchy to stick with Darren Fletcher as interim boss until the end of the campaign, rather than turning to more familiar names like Solskjaer or Carrick.
"Fletcher should be the interim for me," Allardyce stated. "He knows the ins and outs, he’s been there a long time, he’s Manchester United through and through, British, and we’ve seen the trend. Darren Fletcher knows a lot more than Solskjær because he's been there longer."
He concluded with a firm message for the decision-makers at Old Trafford: "It's not about name, forget the name. It doesn't matter. It's what he's going to do as a coach that matters."
The coming months will be critical for Manchester United as they navigate a tricky period under temporary leadership before what promises to be a pivotal summer appointment.
