Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Michael Carrick has been fired by Manchester United after overseeing the 20-time English champions’ worst start to a Premier League season, with US men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino a potential candidate to succeed him.
Carrick’s departure comes less than six months after he was given a two-year contract and the responsibility of reviving the fortunes of the once-dominant force of English soccer.
United haven’t won the league since managerial great Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
A 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday left United 18th in the 20-team standings and in the relegation zone after just one league win all season.
With eight points from 10 games, it is United’s worst start for 40 years – predating the Premier League era.
“After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions,” United said.
United added the “club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible”.
United have been working on a potential deal to have Pochettino replace Carrick, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.
The 54-year-old Argentine is under contract with the US team through the 2030 World Cup.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because no final decision had been made on Carrick’s future.
Pochettino, who has previously coached Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League, took over the US in October 2024 and led them to the round of 16 at this year’s World Cup.
He was a leading candidate for United in 2022 when Erik ten Hag was ultimately hired.
Firing Carrick comes after he insisted he would not walk away from the job following the chaotic draw with Villa that highlighted United’s defensive flaws.
It means United are on the hunt for an eighth permanent manager since Ferguson’s departure 13 years ago, a turbulent period in which they have been overtaken by Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Carrick, a former United midfielder in their glory days under Ferguson, was appointed on a short-term deal midway through last season and guided the team to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification.
That earned him a long-term contract, but things have unravelled quickly this season, with just three wins in all competitions, an eight-game winless run in the league and elimination from the English League Cup.
Top players Bruno Fernandes, the team captain, and Lisandro Martinez have also added to the sense of crisis with criticism of tactics and the club’s leadership, respectively.
“Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend,” United said. “Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club.
“His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.”
Carrick took training on Wednesday and was seen arriving at United’s training ground on Thursday, before leaving soon after.
Since Ferguson, Champions League-winning coaches Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have won cups at United, but were ousted after failing to mount serious title challenges in the Premier League.
In recent years, highly rated and emerging coaches such as Ten Hag and Ruben Amorim also failed to meet the club’s expectations, while former players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Carrick have also come up short.
