‘Official announcement’ - Man Utd manager search takes fresh twist with ‘strong candidate’ now available

Michael Carrick has done all he can to earn the Manchester United job permanently, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will.

United secured Champions League qualification with an impressive 3-2 victory over Liverpool at the weekend, which strengthened their grip on third place in the Premier League table.

Carrick has impressed since he was handed the job until the end of the season back in January and has earned public backing for the permanent role from a host of current United stars.

The 44-year-old is still the favourite to land the job this summer, though formal talks were put on hold until Champions League qualification was confirmed. With 10 wins from his 14 league matches in charge, Carrick should fancy his chances, though a recent development might have added an extra twist to the managerial search.

The Telegraph revealed last week that Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola had emerged as the ‘strongest candidate’ to rival Carrick for the head coach position this summer. The 43-year-old has already announced he will leave the Cherries at the end of the season as he searches for the next challenge in his managerial career.

Iraola was initially expected to return to his former club, Athletic Club, where he is considered a legend, but the La Liga club announced on Tuesday that former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic would take over at the end of the season instead.

Terzic has signed an initial two-year deal that will see him replace current head coach Ernesto Valverde in the summer.

Iraola is admired by Manchester United

Iraola has attracted plenty of interest since he announced he would be leaving the Vitality Stadium, with Manchester United one of several clubs impressed with the job he has done at Bournemouth.

The Cherries currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, just six points behind Aston Villa in the final Champions League position with three matches left of the campaign. Chelsea have also been linked with a move for the Spaniard after they parted company with Liam Rosenior last month.

Athletic Club’s official announcement of an agreement with Edin Terzic added another twist to the tale ahead of a busy summer in the managerial market.

Although the expectation remains that Carrick will be offered the permanent position in the coming months, The Telegraph reported that United were still wary of history repeating itself, after what happened when they handed the previous caretaker, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the permanent job.

News that Iraola will not be returning to his former side, Athletic Club, definitely adds to the headache as United aim to appoint their next manager. Carrick might have already secured Champions League qualification, but the Bournemouth boss might be about to as well.