Manchester United legend Gary Neville has publicly backed Carlo Ancelotti as the outstanding candidate to become the club's next permanent manager, following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim earlier this week.
Neville's Four-Point Plan for United Success
In his newsletter for The Overlap, Neville laid out a four-point checklist he believes is essential for any coach to succeed at Old Trafford, a role that has proven treacherous since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement. The former United captain argued that the club's 12 years of underperformance demands a candidate who can meet specific demands.
Neville's criteria are clear. Firstly, the manager must be able to handle the intense media scrutiny and constant noise surrounding the club. Secondly, they need a proven track record of achieving top-four finishes, managing in the Champions League, and handling superstar egos within a squad.
The third point emphasises a deep understanding of the Premier League and English football culture, which Neville states is distinct from other European leagues. Finally, and crucially, the manager must embrace the 'Manchester United way' of playing positive, risk-taking football with pace and excitement, likely in a 4-4-1-1 or 4-2-3-1 formation.
Why Ancelotti Ticks Every Box
According to Neville, the only figure who convincingly meets all these requirements is the current Brazil national team coach, Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian is a proven winner in England, having won the Premier League with Chelsea in the 2009/10 season, and also has experience from his time at Everton.
Neville acknowledged that securing Ancelotti might require patience, as his arrival could be delayed until late July if Brazil reaches the final of the upcoming World Cup. However, he believes the wait would be worthwhile for a manager of such calibre.
In a revealing historical note, Neville pointed out that United could have appointed Ancelotti back in 2013 before his retirement, but the club met with him too late, and he instead agreed to join Real Madrid for his first spell at the Bernabéu.
Interim Solution and Immediate Future
The search for a permanent boss comes as the club plans talks with another former captain, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, about taking the reins on an interim basis until the season concludes. This follows the sacking of Ruben Amorim on January 10, 2026.
Currently, technical director Darren Fletcher has stepped into the breach, taking charge of the team for the match against Burnley and set to lead them again for the upcoming weekend fixture against Brighton.
Neville's intervention adds a significant voice to the debate over United's future direction, firmly placing a world-renowned, experienced figure like Ancelotti at the top of the wishlist for a fanbase desperate for a return to the summit of English and European football.
