Manchester United have reportedly ruled out approaching Andoni Iraola for the permanent manager's job, a decision that strengthens current interim Michael Carrick's chances of getting the position.
The club has deliberately delayed naming a new permanent manager to replace Ruben Amorim, refusing to rush into a decision while matches were ongoing.
Carrick's Case
Carrick's impact since returning to Old Trafford in January has made the 44-year-old Englishman the candidate to beat. He secured Champions League qualification with three games to spare.
According to The Athletic, club officials are set to formally recommend a permanent contract for Carrick in an upcoming meeting with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The club hierarchy has been hugely impressed by the results Carrick has overseen and the way he has galvanized a previously underperforming squad.
Carrick's only permanent managerial appointment to date was at Middlesbrough in the EFL Championship. However, he spent 15 prior years at Old Trafford as a player, captain and then assistant coach.
Why Iraola Is Out of the Picture
Iraola, available this summer after opting to leave Bournemouth, had emerged as the only alternative being given any credence. But the Daily Mail reports he is "no longer under consideration."
The Spaniard has worked wonders in three seasons at Bournemouth, potentially leaving the Cherries in the Champions League if results in the next three weeks go in their favor. His high-tempo style of play could be a good fit for the Red Devils on paper.
What counts against Iraola is a lack of elite-level experience. He built his reputation as a club builder after also previously overachieving with Rayo Vallecano in Spain. That track record doesn't necessarily translate to a higher level with more pressure and less margin for error.
The Bigger Picture
While Carrick has significantly less proven managerial experience than Iraola, being exposed to Manchester United's winning culture for as long as he was counts massively. The same group of players that struggled under Amorim has now come together.
Cynics may argue against that idea, but United's most consistent manager in terms of Premier League finishes in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era was Ole Gunnar Solskjær—third in 2019–20 and second in 2020–21.
Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane also enjoyed enormous success at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively without any prior senior managerial experience.