Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dream of returning to Manchester United appears to have been dealt a major blow, with the club's decision-makers at INEOS reportedly agreeing not to appoint another interim or caretaker manager if Michael Carrick is sacked.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, United have had seven short-term appointments, with Solskjaer and Michael Carrick both going on to land the job permanently after temporary stints. Carrick is currently enduring a difficult spell at Old Trafford, having recently overseen a nine-match winless streak that ended with a comeback win over Roma in the Champions League.
Speaking last week, the Norwegian club legend made it clear he would love to return, saying: "I also feel like I have something unresolved [at Man United]. Of course it would have been nice to have the opportunity again."
INEOS rule out interim appointments
The 53-year-old was an alternative candidate to Carrick before he was appointed the club's interim boss back in January. Solskjaer has not been in the dugout since being sacked by Turkish giants Besiktas in August 2025.
However, INEOS appear to have just destroyed his dream of an Old Trafford return, or at least a return any time soon. The United decision-makers have reportedly come to an agreement that if Carrick is sacked in the coming weeks, they will not hire another interim or caretaker manager until the end of the 2026/27 season.
Sky Sports say the Red Devils' board are only interested in appointing a permanent head coach if they are forced to part ways with Carrick.
Potential candidates considered
Several high-level coaches currently without a job, such as Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann, have been linked. There is currently no consensus on the preferred pick if Carrick goes.
That is believed to be part of the reason why the 45-year-old former midfielder still remains in the job despite overseeing a torrid start to the campaign that has yielded just three wins from 14 games across all competitions plus seven defeats.
United only lost eight times all season under Ruben Amorim and then Carrick last season, although their Carabao Cup draw with Grimsby Town ended in an embarrassing penalty shootout defeat, effectively making it nine losses.
Boardroom confidence restored
United's midweek turnaround against Roma has rejuvenated the confidence in the dressing room and the boardroom at the club, even though they sit 17th in the Premier League table, just two points clear of 20th.
Sky Sports add that Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada are considering other options should they feel compelled to axe Carrick. They have not yet had direct talks with any coaches but like Nagelsmann, Howe and Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler in particular.
Carrick said this week after the win over Roma: "I'm not getting too carried away with things. I think it's an important night. But we've got to take stock, we've got to stay calm and prepare and be ready for another big game on the weekend. I'm really pleased for an awful lot of people for that one. It's one win so we're not getting too carried away but it was an important one for us."
