Gareth Bale has aligned with Manchester United legend Paul Scholes in proposing that Carlo Ancelotti would be an exemplary choice for the next manager of the Red Devils. Bale, who featured in 99 matches under Ancelotti during two spells at Real Madrid from 2013 to 2015 and briefly in 2021 and 2022, possesses intimate knowledge of the Italian tactician's methods on the touchline.
Bale's Insights on Ancelotti's Management Style
During their collaboration, Bale netted 40 goals and provided 31 assists, securing prestigious trophies such as the Champions League and the Spanish Cup at the Bernabeu. Ancelotti has been frequently linked with the Old Trafford hot seat by various pundits, with Scholes previously describing him as the 'perfect' candidate to assume control.
Bale concurred with this assessment. In a discussion on The Overlap, the retired forward effusively praised his former manager, offering a glimpse into Ancelotti's daily operational approach. 'I think he would do great,' Bale remarked. 'He's not just the manager, he is a coach as well. He can do the tactical stuff.'
Ancelotti's Tactical Evolution and Simplicity
Bale elaborated, 'When he was the head coach in his second spell at Real Madrid, he engaged in more tactical work than during our initial period, though I believe we had a superior squad the first time. Regardless of his destination, I am confident Carlo would excel, primarily because he fosters unity among everyone.'
He continued, 'At a major club like Manchester United, which boasts talented players—even if they have underperformed recently—Ancelotti has the ability to extract the best from them by simplifying processes. This mirrors what we observe with Michael Carrick currently; he is streamlining elements that the prior manager complicated, leading to improved results. That encapsulates Carlo's brilliance: optimizing player performance through straightforward methods.'
Manchester United's Managerial Situation
Manchester United is poised to appoint a permanent manager this summer, following Carrick's interim takeover from Ruben Amorim earlier this year. Carrick has emerged as a contender after an auspicious start, achieving the joint-best record in Premier League history over a manager's first seven games, with six victories and one draw, before a recent defeat to Newcastle.
Ancelotti, presently overseeing the Brazilian national team and slated to guide them at the upcoming World Cup, might be lured away by United with an offer for the next season. Scholes reinforced this notion, stating, 'The perfect candidate available—I emphasize perfect—is Ancelotti. I acknowledge he is coaching Brazil, but he represents the ideal fit for Manchester United, as he can make players feel exceptionally valued.'
Scholes' Evaluation of Carrick's Prospects
Scholes, however, expressed reservations about Carrick's readiness for the role. Despite Carrick's prior experience as head coach of Championship side Middlesbrough from 2022 to 2025, Scholes questioned his capacity to secure trophies at United. 'The issue is whether Michael possesses the requisite experience,' Scholes commented. 'I recognize it's a significant query; he has managed in the Championship, but this is a distinct challenge.'
He added, 'Can we envision Michael winning the Premier League? It remains uncertain. The crucial consideration is what type of manager United seeks: a tactician or a man-manager? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer exemplified the latter, but such figures often rely on adept coaches alongside them, as Michael does with Steve Holland. The club must decide if they prefer a master tactician—which has previously faltered—or someone with man-management prowess, though questions about trophy-winning experience persist for both Solskjaer and Carrick.'
