Carlo Ancelotti Closes Door on Manchester United Managerial Role
Carlo Ancelotti has made his position unequivocally clear regarding the vacant Manchester United manager job, effectively ruling himself out of contention. The current Brazil national team boss has been linked with the role at Old Trafford but has firmly committed to his international duties and future plans.
Ancelotti's Firm Stance on Club Management Future
Speaking to L'Equipe in September 2025, Ancelotti addressed speculation about a potential return to club football. The Italian tactician was explicit in his response, naming only one European side he would ever contemplate managing after his Brazil tenure concludes.
"Real Madrid is the only team I will accept managing after Brazil," Ancelotti declared. This definitive statement, combined with ongoing negotiations for a contract extension with the Brazilian Football Confederation, completely eliminates any possibility of him taking over at Manchester United in the foreseeable future.
Manchester United's Managerial Search Continues
Manchester United remain actively searching for a permanent replacement for Ruben Amorim, who was sacked last month. Despite Michael Carrick's promising start as caretaker manager, the club continues to evaluate various candidates for the summer appointment.
Thomas Tuchel, another name previously linked with the position, has also removed himself from consideration by signing a new contract with the England national team. The agreement, finalized on Thursday, will keep Tuchel at the helm of the Three Lions until after Euro 2028.
Michael Carrick's Impressive Interim Tenure
Since stepping into the caretaker role in January, Michael Carrick has compiled an undefeated record that has naturally sparked discussions about his potential permanent appointment. His tenure began with a remarkable 2-0 victory against arch-rivals Manchester City, followed by consecutive wins against Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham, plus a hard-fought 1-1 draw with West Ham.
When questioned about his future following the Fulham victory, Carrick maintained a pragmatic perspective: "Nothing's changed, to be honest. I'm fully aware of the role I'm doing here and the responsibility I've got. We want to be successful, and I want the club to be successful beyond the end of the season - if that's me, if that's somebody else."
The former United midfielder emphasized the importance of long-term planning over short-term results, stating: "Results over a short period of time don't change that. If they have changed there is something wrong. It can't be so knee-jerk whether it's really good or whether there's a few issues we need to solve."
What This Means for Manchester United
With both Ancelotti and Tuchel definitively out of the running, Manchester United's managerial search narrows considerably. The club faces several important decisions:
- Whether to continue with Michael Carrick as permanent manager based on his interim success
- Identifying alternative candidates who match the club's ambitions
- Balancing short-term results with long-term strategic planning
- Ensuring stability during this transitional period
Ancelotti's commitment to Brazil, potentially extended through a new contract in the coming weeks, represents a significant development in the managerial landscape. His explicit preference for Real Madrid as his only potential future club destination further clarifies his career trajectory and removes any ambiguity about his availability for Premier League positions.
