October 25
German Coach Emerges as Top Candidate to Succeed Carrick
Oliver Kahn, the former CEO of Bayern Munich, has warned German coach Julian Nagelsmann against taking charge of Manchester United.
Nagelsmann has entered the conversation as a potential candidate for the Manchester United managerial role, following mounting pressure on current manager Michael Carrick amid a decline in results—most recently a heavy 4-1 defeat to Italy’s Como in the Champions League.
A Warning Against the "Manchester United Trap"
Kahn, who previously worked with Nagelsmann at Bayern Munich, stated during an appearance on Sky Germany that the German coach needs to think carefully about his next move, highlighting the significant risks involved in managing Manchester United.
"The Premier League—and Manchester United in particular—has not been known for managerial stability in recent years," Kahn said. "He has to ask himself: 'What should my next step be? Is this the right move? Or am I taking on a massive risk by joining a club like Manchester United, where almost every manager in recent years has eventually failed?' He needs to weigh his next destination very carefully."
Bayern and Germany: Past Stints Raise Questions About Nagelsmann
Kahn noted that Nagelsmann’s previous tenures—at Bayern Munich and with the German national team—did not yield the expected success, which may have left a mark on his career. He also questioned whether Nagelsmann’s specific skill set is well-suited to lead a club like United, which is currently striving to climb back up and compete among the elite. Nagelsmann left his role as manager of the German national team following their exit from the 2026 World Cup, making him available for a new position—just as Manchester United faces the prospect of another change in its coaching staff due to poor results.
Nagelsmann is reportedly one of five managers whom Manchester United officials have contacted informally, in anticipation of a potential decision to dismiss Carrick early in the season.
According to German media, Christopher Vivell—Manchester United’s director of recruitment—is strongly advocating for Nagelsmann, viewing him as the primary candidate for the job.
United’s management is also facing mounting pressure regarding its managerial decisions. Since the INEOS group took over the club’s operations, they initially backed Erik ten Hag before dismissing him shortly thereafter; they subsequently appointed Rúben Amorim, who lasted just over a year, before handing the permanent role to Carrick—a move that raised questions given his limited experience.
The defeat to Como has further intensified doubts surrounding Carrick’s future. Meanwhile, the possibility of hiring Nagelsmann remains on the table, despite warnings about the risks involved in taking charge of a club that has undergone more managerial changes than almost any other in recent years.
