Manchester United’s ongoing managerial uncertainty has once again highlighted deeper structural issues at the club, with growing calls for any new head coach to be granted genuine authority if the club hopes to attract elite-level candidates.
Following the dramatic dismissal of Ruben Amorim earlier this week, attention has shifted not only to who will replace him, but also to how much power that individual will actually hold behind the scenes.
Amorim’s exit came after a turbulent period that culminated in an explosive post-match press conference following a 1–1 draw with Leeds United.
His comments publicly exposed internal tensions, particularly with technical director Jason Wilcox, and ultimately convinced the club’s hierarchy that a change was unavoidable.
With Amorim gone, United are now actively searching for a successor, beginning with an interim appointment to steady the ship until the end of the season, before making a long-term decision in the summer.
Several high-profile names have already been linked with the permanent role, including Oliver Glasner and Thomas Tuchel.
However, questions remain over whether Manchester United, given their recent instability, can still entice world-class managers.
This issue was debated on The Rest Is Football podcast, where Gary Lineker put the question directly to Micah Richards.
Richards was adamant that United can still appeal to top managers—but only under strict conditions.
According to him, the decisive factor will be whether the new boss is given full control over football matters.
He argued that elite managers want to know whether they are being hired as true decision-makers or merely as coaches expected to follow instructions from above.
Transfer authority, tactical freedom, and a lack of interference from executives were all cited as essential requirements.
Richards acknowledged, however, that the situation is not entirely straightforward. He pointed out that allowing a manager complete freedom in the transfer market can also create long-term complications.
If one coach signs a number of expensive players and is later replaced by someone with a different vision, the club can be left with an unbalanced squad, inflated wage bills, and players who refuse to move on.
This, he suggested, explains why modern football clubs often involve executives and sporting directors in recruitment decisions.
Ultimately, Richards stressed the need for collaboration rather than conflict between managers and club officials.
Alan Shearer echoed similar sentiments, drawing comparisons with some of the Premier League’s most stable clubs.
He highlighted Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa as examples of well-run organizations where the head coach plays a central role in recruitment and long-term planning.
Shearer argued that it is no coincidence these clubs are thriving, noting that figures like Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, and Unai Emery all wield significant influence over squad building.
In his view, success is closely linked to empowering the manager rather than undermining them.
Before any permanent appointment is made, United must first decide on a caretaker.
Talks have already taken place with former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his ex-assistant Michael Carrick, both of whom are seen as familiar, low-risk options capable of guiding the team through the remainder of the campaign.
Lineker, however, questioned some of the recent strategic decisions made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club’s leadership, suggesting that ongoing uncertainty could deter certain managerial candidates.
As United stand at yet another crossroads, the message from pundits is clear: if the club truly wants to move forward, structural clarity and trust in the manager will be just as important as the name eventually chosen to lead the team.
