Antonio Conte has informed Manchester United that he would be willing to replace Michael Carrick as head coach, according to reports.
Carrick enjoyed a brilliant spell as caretaker manager last term, helping United finish third in the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League. That earned him the job on a permanent basis, but many supporters and observers feel the club did not back him properly in the summer transfer market.
A poor start to the season
United have won just one of their first six Premier League matches this term, earning only six points from those fixtures. Carrick was already under pressure after a 1-1 draw with ten-man Tottenham at the weekend, and a 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League has raised further concern.
Lisandro Martinez was criticised in the aftermath of the defeat in Spain after the defender blamed the club’s poor start to the season on weak recruitment.
Conte’s interest
Rumours have circulated for weeks that former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Conte could replace Carrick should United decide to change direction. Journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed on his YouTube channel that the Italian is ready to take over at a historic club as soon as possible.
Romano named Conte, Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann as managers linked with the United job should the club opt for a change. He stressed, however, that there is nothing advanced, concrete or serious between Conte and United at present, and that no concrete contacts have yet taken place.
Romano also noted a notable shift in Conte’s approach. In the past, Conte has preferred to wait for a new season, with a pre-season and his own squad in place. This time, he would be open to taking a job mid-season. Romano added that Conte does not want a move to the Middle East simply for the money and wants to remain in Europe, ideally at a club with a big history.
TEAMtalk reported on Thursday that Conte is ready to take charge of United right now, and that intermediaries working with him have renewed contact with the club’s hierarchy to reiterate his interest. talkSPORT has since backed up that story, claiming that representatives of Conte have told United they would be interested in taking over should Carrick be dismissed.