Changing a manager requires defining the problem to be solved: ‘what’, not ‘who’. Manchester United’s reported shortlisted candidates have the potential to exacerbate their problems:

• Eddie Howe struggled at Newcastle during Champions League seasons; performance dropped by 5% and 15% in 23/24 and 25/26 respectively. United have struggled with this too, constantly yo-yoing in and out of top four finishes.
• Per TFG analysis, Julian Nagelsmann overperformed by 11% in harder matches at Bayern, but underperformed by 10% in easier matches. This mirrors the failings of Solskjaer and Carrick in particular.

• Antonio Conte has never remained more than three years in a role; United too have not had a coach for more than three years since Ferguson’s retirement.

Hence the importance of being clear on the problem: misalignment between coach weaknesses and club needs are not uncommon, but they need interrogation in interviews and mitigation from day one post-hire.