Sporting director Jason Wilcox wants Brighton’s Fabian Hürzeler. Technical director Christopher Vivell wants Julian Nagelsmann. The split was first reported by talkSPORT and carried by Caughtoffside on Wednesday, leaving Old Trafford without a clear plan for life after Carrick before any decision on his sacking has even been taken.
The two names represent sharply different bets. Nagelsmann, 39, is a serial-winner profile with Bayern Munich and Germany on his CV. Hürzeler, 33, is a Premier League disruptor whose Brighton side are in the middle of another strong campaign.
Nagelsmann has been free since 4 July
Nagelsmann stepped down as Germany head coach on 4 July, days after his side lost on penalties to Paraguay in the World Cup round of 32. He has not taken another job since.
That makes him by far the simpler hire. There is no contract to buy out and no club to persuade. For a United hierarchy that has already dismissed Erik ten Hag and Rúben Amorim in short order, availability on its own counts for something.
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Hürzeler is a different proposition. The 33-year-old signed a contract extension with Brighton earlier this year that keeps him on the south coast until 2029. His side are enjoying another productive run, with 10 different scorers already this season and 11 wins in 18 Premier League games since February.
A move for him would require Brighton’s cooperation, and Football365 has argued that taking the United job at his age “would ruin his career”.
Carrick’s side have two wins in nine
The urgency comes from the pitch. Carrick has two wins from his last nine matches in all competitions and none in the last five, a run that has turned every weekend into speculation about his future.
Caughtoffside reported on Thursday that United “remain publicly committed to Carrick”, with no indication that any immediate change has been decided. Antonio Conte has also been mentioned, though the club chose not to pursue the Italian during the summer transfer window.
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