The push is coming from Germany rather than from Old Trafford.
Veteran broadcaster Marcel Reif used his Bild podcast “Reif ist live” to put Nagelsmann firmly in the frame for a Manchester United vacancy that has not even formally opened. Carrick is still the man in the dugout, but in Reif’s reading, barely.
“I think it’ll be Nagelsmann. He’s got a good reputation, and he’s ready,” Reif said in comments carried by Bild.
Nagelsmann, 39, has been without a job since leaving the Germany national team in July after a Round of 32 defeat by Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup. The German Football Association bought him out of his contract, meaning any club interested in him would not have to pay compensation. That is a decisive edge over Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, according to German journalist Constantin Eckner, who still has Howe as the frontrunner despite the financial complication of prising him away from St James’ Park.
Read also: Arsenal eye €18m Hull City winger Belloumi if Madueke exits in January
A sympathetic voice inside Carrington
The German confidence is not purely external. Christopher Vivell, Manchester United’s director of recruitment, is said in German coverage to be an internal advocate for Nagelsmann, with whom he worked at RB Leipzig.
Vivell’s own standing has become part of the story. Reports in October claimed he had felt sidelined by director of football Jason Wilcox, and Bayern Munich have been linked with him as a replacement for their departing scouting chief Nils Schmadtke.
Carrick in limbo until the break
For now, Carrick remains in charge. INEOS, the group running sporting matters at United, have opted against sacking him this week and will instead reassess his position during the November international break.
The context is brutal: no win in nine matches across all competitions, 17th in the Premier League and out of the relegation zone only on goal difference. It is Manchester United’s worst start to a season in 40 years.
Read also: Verstappen wins in Mexico – but cannot explain what his own engine is doing
Reif does not believe Carrick’s job title still fits.
“Carrick isn’t a manager there anymore, but a caretaker until negotiations with the man who’s set to take over are concluded,” he told Bild.
That is one German pundit’s reading, not a club position. United have made no public move, and Howe has not been linked with any departure from Newcastle. Carrick’s team travel to Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday before hosting Aston Villa on Sunday, after which the Premier League pauses for the international break.
Read also: Johan Bruyneel questions Vingegaard’s Tour future despite praise from Mikkel Bjerg
