Gary Neville names two surprise managers he ‘likes’ for Man Utd job | Football

Gary Neville has named Diego Simeone and Ernesto Valverde as two managers he admires as Manchester United begin their search for a new permanent head coach.

Ruben Amorim was sacked after 14 months at the helm on Monday, bringing and end to another failed project at Old Trafford.

Darren Fletcher, former midfield star and Under-18s head coach, will step up to take the reins against Burnley on Wednesday with United seeking to bring in a caretaker boss until the end of the season.

United are not expected to officially appoint a new permanent boss until the summer.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is currently the bookies’ favourite to succeed Amorim with Gareth Southgate, Mauricio Pochettino and Andoni Iraola also in the running.

United interviewed Thomas Tuchel for the job before eventually deciding to stick with Erik ten Hag in 2024 – with the Dutchman making way for Amorim just four months later.

With England and next summer’s World Cup his sole focus, United may have missed their chance to appoint the German although club legend Paul Scholes has named the former Chelsea boss as his no1 choice.

Neville was reluctant to name a preferred candidate himself but the former captain name dropped Atletico Madrid boss Simeone and Athletic Bilbao’s Ernesto Valverde as two managers he is a huge fan of.

‘It would be wrong of me to name someone,’ Neville told Sky Sports.

‘There are coaches that I like, I like Tuchel, I like Simeone at Atletico Madrid, I like Valverde, I think he’s a fantastic coach.

‘But are there really opportunities for Manchester United to go out and get these coaches? I don’t know. I have no idea.

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‘But the most important thing is Manchester United’s scouting department, recruitment department, sporting director, have got their eyes open and have seen this coming and basically have got an idea of what they need to do now and come up with that.

‘It’s been a real struggle for all these good managers and coaches to come to Old Trafford and try get the results the club demand. We can’t keep getting it wrong we have to get it right at some point.’

Whoever United appoint, Neville insists they be prepared to commit to the ‘DNA’ of United.

‘Man United have got to appoint a manager that fits the DNA of their club,’ he said.

‘Ajax will never change for anybody, Barcelona will never change for anybody. I don’t believe Man Utd should change for anybody.’

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