Former England manager Sam Allardyce has urged Manchester United to appoint Carlo Ancelotti as their next permanent manager, describing the Italian as a 'magic man' capable of transforming the club. United are searching for a new boss after sacking Ruben Amorim earlier this week, with Darren Fletcher currently in interim charge for Sunday's FA Cup tie against Brighton.
Allardyce, speaking on the Footy Accumulators No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, believes Ancelotti's man-management skills would be ideal for Old Trafford. 'He can spread magic on Manchester United because of his man-management skills, not his coaching,' Allardyce said. 'He’d be the man to go in after the World Cup. I think he’d jump at the chance.' Ancelotti is currently managing Brazil and will lead them at this summer's World Cup.
The 65-year-old has won 30 major trophies, including five Champions League titles, during spells at clubs such as AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich. Allardyce, who managed Everton before Ancelotti took over at Goodison Park, added: 'I met him a few times and knew how good he was.'
Allardyce also advised United to ignore the potential appointment of former players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Michael Carrick as caretaker managers, instead backing Fletcher to remain in charge until the end of the season. 'Fletcher should be the interim for me. He knows the ins and outs, he’s been there a long time, he’s Manchester United through and through,' Allardyce said.
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to appoint a high-profile manager in the summer, with Ancelotti emerging as a leading candidate following Allardyce's endorsement.
