The Carrick sack decision has been delayed. Michael Carrick took training at Carrington on Tuesday morning, and Manchester United are now not expected to announce anything before Wednesday, when Sir Jim Ratcliffe leads the final meeting in Monaco. The succession, though, is already moving: Mauricio Pochettino has made an “instant decision” that he wants the job.
Football Insider reports that chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have recommended Carrick’s dismissal, with a new manager appointed for the first game after the international break. Carrick, who arrived at Carrington at 7.15am on Tuesday, keeps taking training in the meantime — neither he nor his coaches have been told they are no longer required.
The delay corrects the expectation that the meeting would settle the matter today; the BBC’s Dan Roan also reports it takes place on Wednesday, with a decision possibly not coming until Thursday. Carrick would be the third manager sacked since Ratcliffe’s INEOS took control of the football side, and United sit 18th after ten games — their lowest position at this stage of a Premier League season.
Carrick sack decision: the three agreements
The three agreements, according to Football Insider, are simple: Berrada and Wilcox want Carrick gone, the club want a new manager for the first game after the break, and Carrick keeps training until the final call.
That sequence explains a strange Tuesday at Carrington: the manager reported for work at 7.15am, took the session, and still does not know if he keeps the job. The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on Monday night that United “intend to relieve Michael Carrick of duties”, while adding that the club say “no final decision & nothing set in stone”. Read our reports that Carrick is set to be sacked and that his future is in doubt.
Pochettino has already decided
While United’s board takes its time, the leading candidate has not. TEAMtalk reports Pochettino has made an “instant decision” on joining United and “would jump at the chance to become Man Utd manager”. Intermediaries are working behind the scenes, though no direct talks have taken place and United have not made an approach. The club are, however, “very much aware of his situation and possible availability”.
The cost of hiring him is also clearer. Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that Pochettino’s release clause with the United States is approaching $10 million, while Carrick’s own deal contains a break clause that makes his exit cheaper. Jacobs adds that free agents Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann have also been discussed, with £3 million due to Newcastle if Howe were appointed. Emery is set to stay at Aston Villa, narrowing the field to the three leading contenders — read our report on the shortlist. Pochettino, who took Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final, has interviewed for the job three times.
What happens next in Monaco
Everything now points to Wednesday. Ratcliffe, Berrada and Wilcox meet in Monaco, their recommendation goes to the owners, and the Glazers must rubber-stamp any change. If it is accepted, as expected, the announcement should follow before United’s next match, at Liverpool on 22 November — but the BBC reports the decision itself may not come until Thursday.
Whoever takes over inherits a relegation-zone team that has won just one of ten league games and is without a win in eight; their only victory came against Ipswich on 30 August. Carrick was given three games to save himself after defeats by Como and Bournemouth, and the win over Roma and Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa have not been enough. Monaco will settle the Carrick sack decision; who replaces him may take longer — but the favourite has already made up his mind. For today’s predictions, check our predictions page.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, Arne Müseler) — collage by SportsBuddy.
