Michael Carrick has been dismissed as Manchester United manager after 174 days as permanent boss at Old Trafford, with sources suggesting he could return to punditry rather than continue in coaching.
The 45-year-old was relieved of his duties following the club's worst start to a top-flight season in 40 years, with just one win from 10 Premier League games. United currently sit 18th in the table, and a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa proved to be his final match in charge.
Carrick's brief tenure at United
Carrick arrived in January last season and turned the club's fortunes around, winning 12 of his final 17 league games. That success earned him the full-time job, but results have not carried over into the current campaign.
In a statement confirming the sacking, the club praised his dedication and professionalism, reaffirmed his status as a United legend, and stated their intention to appoint a permanent replacement promptly.
Potential move into punditry
What comes next for Carrick is not yet known, but sources close to him have hinted he may not return to management. The i Paper reports Carrick has shown a lack of interest in resuming managerial duties, with punditry a possible next step.
Carrick has previous experience in that role, having served as a pundit for Prime Video last year after leaving Middlesbrough. He appeared alongside former Tottenham teammate Dimitar Berbatov for commentary on Spurs' Champions League clash with Villarreal, which the English side won 1-0.
Praise from commentator Steve Bower
Commentator Steve Bower has praised Carrick's analysis, describing his punditry style as "outstanding."
Bower told the Mirror: "He is an outstanding pundit. He speaks like he plays and manages. He would never go low and lambast somebody or go high and give ridiculous praise. He'd look at it from every angle.
"I've been doing this for over 30 years so I've seen all the categories of pundits and he's a natural at talking about football. He's a football nut and he understands the game - and when you look at how he played in that position, it's quite easy to see why.
"He is outstanding at explaining the why and how, not just saying what we can all see. When he's talking you can hear the production staff in my ear go silent because they're just listening to him, fascinated because they're all football fans.
"He's part of a small group of people we use – Glenn Hoddle, Michael Owen, Alan Shearer – where you watch games and you learn something over 90 minutes. Michael is in that category: he's top drawer."
Pochettino linked as replacement
United States boss Mauricio Pochettino is understood to be interested in replacing Carrick, and his arrangement with the national side contains a release clause of £7.4 million should United wish to secure his services. United are hopeful of securing the ex-Spurs and Chelsea boss.
