Ruben Amorim finds himself under increasing scrutiny at the helm of Manchester United. Reports suggest the Red Devils have identified a ‘prime candidate’ to step in should Amorim be shown the door, given the lackluster trajectory the club has been on since last season.
Having stumbled to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League last term, devoid of any silverware, Manchester United’s fortunes have not improved. Already this season, Amorim’s side has been unceremoniously booted out of the Carabao Cup by League Two minnows Grimsby Town, and suffered league defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal, leaving them precariously placed at 11th after just five matches.
Last weekend’s unexpected 2-1 victory over Chelsea has done little to diminish the speculation swirling around Amorim’s tenure, with the Portuguese manager amongst the frontrunners to face the axe in the Premier League managerial merry-go-round. The immediate challenge of facing Brentford this Saturday looms large, with wins desperately needed to resurrect their campaign and Amorim grasping onto his role.
Amidst this backdrop of uncertainty, murmurs are growing louder about potential successors, with AFC Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola reportedly at the forefront of United’s considerations. As per journalist Fraser Fletcher’s scoop for TEAMtalk, Iraola has emerged as the ‘prime candidate’ and ‘top choice’ for the Manchester boardroom, driven by his reputed tactical brilliance and knack for optimising limited resources.
The allure of Iraola is not exclusive to United, with Chelsea and Manchester City reportedly monitoring his progress as well. United, on the other hand, are reportedly impressed by Iraola’s capacity to maintain a coherent system at Bournemouth, along with his accomplished track record in nurturing young talents. This has bolstered confidence in his readiness to transition to managing a club with the stature and expectations of Manchester United.
Speculation surrounding Manchester City’s interest casts Iraola as a potential heir to Pep Guardiola, whose exit is rumoured to be looming within the next few seasons. Concurrently, Chelsea regard Iraola as a plausible contingency should Enzo Maresca’s era not pan out as planned. Yet, Bournemouth are determined to affirm Iraola’s continued presence, as articulated by Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, who confirmed the club’s vigorous efforts to secure his services with a new contract.
O’Rourke explained, “If Man United are to part ways with Amorim, they’ll undoubtedly aim for the most suited candidate. Despite current standings, the Manchester United job remains a prestigious role with abundant appeal due to its massive fan base and financial backing.”
“Iraola has showcased remarkable resilience and innovation at Bournemouth, flourishing despite the exodus of key players over the summer. Bournemouth are keen to retain his services, warding off interest from a Premier League rival as iconic as Manchester United. However, for now, Manchester United’s hierarchy stands supportive of Amorim, holding onto the hope of a season turnaround.”
The footballing world watches keenly as Manchester United ponder a potential reshuffling at the managerial level, casting a restless eye towards the future amidst present tribulations.