Five available managers who could replace Ruben Amorim at Man Utd

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 17 Sept 2025 10:56 BST
• 4 min read

News

Ruben Amorim is under increased risk of the sack at Man Utd.

A disastrous start to the season was made even worse on Sunday by a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad.

After arriving just under a year ago, Amorim oversaw United finishing the 2024-25 season in 15th position. They failed to win a trophy and endured arguably the worst campaign in the club's history for over 50 years.

United's poor start to the new season which sees them well off the pace in the Premier League and knocked out of the EFL Cup by fourth division Grimsby has only added to the pressure.

With a win percentage at just 36 per cent, Amorim has one of the worst records of a Man Utd manager in the club's history.

If results don't improve immediately, he will surely be dismissed sooner rather than later.

So who could replace him? Here are five top coaches who United could hire immediately as free agents.

Gareth Southgate is still out of work after leaving the England national team after Euro 2024. He has a good relationship with part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and will certainly be considered for the job after overseeing two Euro finals for England.

Jose Mourinho was sacked this month by Fenerbahce and would not turn down a sensational return to Old Trafford. However, at the time of writing, it seems he is close to a return to Portuguese giants Benfica.

Luciano Spalletti would be another high-profile appointment. The Italian achieved great things at Roma and Napoli, winning a historic Scudetto with the latter. However, he is coming off a disastrous stint with the Italy national team. He is good friends with Sir Alex Ferguson, though.

Barcelona legend Xavi is out of work and looking for his next top job, having left the Camp Nou dugout in May 2024. His modern style of football and ability to attract players could attract the bosses at Old Trafford.

And finally, what about bringing back the one and only Erik ten Hag?! The Dutchman was only sacked by Man Utd just under a year ago for Amorim, who has a far worse record than his predecessor. Ten Hag was sacked by Bayer Leverkusen just two games into the new Bundesliga season so he is available.

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