A top coach is now willing to take on the role of Manchester United manager, matching the Red Devils' executive specifications and even dismissing rival teams.
On 8 January 2026, Team Talk, a well-known football media outlet, reported the latest updates on Manchester United's search for a permanent manager following the decision to dismiss Rúben Amorim due to disagreements with the club's executives.
Initially, Manchester United plans to appoint an interim manager to steady the team until the end of the season, with former fan-favorites Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Michael Carrick considered frontrunners, before hiring a permanent manager in the summer.
Currently, with Darren Fletcher, the U18 coach, acting as interim head coach, Manchester United seeks a manager with Premier League experience as a key qualification to revive the team's pursuit of success.
Recently, Team Talk revealed that Roberto De Zerbi, former Brighton manager now with French Ligue 1 giant Olympique Marseille, is very interested in taking the Manchester United job, viewing it as a dream opportunity to lead one of the most historically significant football clubs.
Meanwhile, Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur also want Roberto De Zerbi to replace Thomas Frank, whose results have been unsatisfactory. They admire the Italian coach's attacking style, ball possession focus, and high pressing tactics.
However, reports state that while Roberto De Zerbi feels honored by Tottenham's interest, his main target is Manchester United. His contract with Marseille runs until 2027, but multiple sources confirm he is willing to move this summer if the right opportunity arises.
Roberto De Zerbi made his Premier League name by moving from Ukrainian powerhouse Shakhtar Donetsk to manage Brighton in 2022. He led the team to a sixth-place finish in the 2022-23 Premier League season, securing the club's first-ever qualification for the Europa League in its 122-year history.
