Arteta 2.0: The “best young coach in the world” open to joining Man Utd
Manchester United’s challenges clearly extend beyond the player roster, yet in the current landscape of football, it’s the manager and players who face the most scrutiny. Ruben Amorim had been at the helm for the past 14 months, but that abruptly changed this week when he was let go by the board. The 40-year-old’s outburst following the match against Leeds United last weekend proved to be the final straw, with his record standing at just 25 wins from 63 matches in charge.
The club’s 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season likely weighed heavily on the minds of the senior management, as such results are deemed unacceptable for a club of the Red Devils’ caliber. However, despite Darren Fletcher stepping in as a temporary manager, the search for a long-term solution to the managerial vacancy at Old Trafford has already begun.
Elite-level manager now keen on Man Utd move
In the last 24 hours, speculation has emerged regarding who might follow as United’s new manager, with former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær expressing a desire to return. The Norwegian managed the team for three years at Old Trafford after he secured a permanent contract following a brief stint as interim manager starting in December 2018.
He was dismissed in November 2021 due to a poor run of performance, but a stunning comeback could be in the works if the club’s hierarchy decides to give him another shot in Manchester. Nevertheless, he’s not the sole candidate currently available; Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is also viewed as a potential successor to the departing Amorim in the near future.
Another part of the article reveals that despite his interest in assuming the role, he would prefer a summer transition to have a genuine opportunity to make an impact—especially since a temporary coach is expected to fill the position until the season concludes.
Why Iraola would be United’s very own Arteta
Though Arsenal is a team that not many United supporters admire, it’s likely that the fanbase feels a tinge of envy towards the Gunners under Mikel Arteta.
Arteta has revamped the club from relegation battlers to title contenders, as evidenced by their three consecutive second-place finishes. This year, he might be on the verge of ending the club’s two-decade drought for a top-tier title, with his squad currently positioned six points ahead at the top of the league after 20 matches.
The 43-year-old has given the fanbase a sense of pride concerning their team—something United lacks—similar to how Iraola has accomplished with the Cherries, albeit at a different level. Iraola, hailing from the Basque region like Arteta, took over at the Vitality Stadium in the summer of 2023 and subsequently guided the club to their first-ever top-half finish in the top division for the 2024/25 season.
He has collaborated closely with the recruitment team on the South Coast, frequently bringing in various talented youngsters and developing them into reliable Premier League contributors.
The Red Devils have been on a similar trajectory in recent years, yet they haven’t secured the right managerial figure to deploy a suitable strategy that optimizes their players’ abilities.
Iraola has swiftly established himself as a top-tier Premier League manager, garnering praise from Sky Sports pundit Sam Tighe, who has referred to him as the “best young coach in the world.” He boasts a 37% win rate at the Vitality, achieving 40 victories out of 108 matches in his tenure—all accomplished with limited financial resources compared to what he could have at United.
Andoni Iraola – PL stats
| Statistics | Tally |
|---|---|
| Games managed | 96 |
| Wins | 33 |
| Draws | 28 |
| Losses | 35 |
| Goals scored | 143 |
| Goals conceded | 151 |
| Points won | 127 |
| Points per game | 1.32 |
| Win percentage | 34.3% |
His period at Bournemouth has rendered him one of Europe’s most promising young managers, though it remains uncertain if he could replicate such success at Old Trafford. Nonetheless, his history of elevating clubs in the Premier League and nurturing young talent are two assets that could position him as the next manager of the Red Devils.
The parallels with Arteta are striking, and taking such a risk could potentially catapult the club back into contention for the title in the coming years if they choose to support him.
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Better than Glasner: Man Utd enter talks to hire one of the ‘world’s best’
Manchester United appear to be advancing toward appointing a new manager.
Published: 2026-01-06 20:45:00
source: www.footballfancast.com
