Ben Jacobs: Fabian Hurzeler not interested in leaving Brighton for Man Utd
Brighton and Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler has no interest in replacing Michael Carrick at Manchester United, despite attracting firm admiration from Old Trafford director of football Jason Wilcox amid a winless run across all competitions.
Pressure is mounting on Carrick after his side suffered a 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, extending a difficult sequence of matches. Manchester United have managed just seven points from seven Premier League games so far this season, leaving the squad sitting in a position far below initial club targets following summer recruitment decisions.
Wilcox Backing Carrick Amid Scrutiny
Despite the mounting scrutiny surrounding the club’s poor form, TEAMtalk reported that United are not currently planning an immediate managerial change. Wilcox retains the final say on the future of the head coach and is still backing Carrick to turn things around at Old Trafford. The upcoming schedule features a demanding run of fixtures, starting with a match against Bournemouth at Old Trafford over the weekend, followed by fixtures against Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Roma in the Champions League.
Internal succession planning remains active as part of normal club operations. On October 16, TEAMtalk transfer insider Graeme Bailey reported that United placed Hurzeler on their radar as a potential candidate should a vacancy arise, driven by Wilcox’s strong admiration for the German manager’s two successive eighth-placed finishes with Brighton. However, Brighton sources maintained throughout that the club held zero concern over an imminent departure. Those sources did not believe the 33-year-old would leave the Seagulls for Man Utd.
Targets and Contenders on the Shortlist
TalkSPORT journalist Ben Jacobs confirmed that Hurzeler is not interested in leaving Brighton for Manchester United. Jacobs wrote on X at 12:25pm on October 22: “BREAKING: Fabian Hurzeler is not interested in leaving Brighton for Manchester United.” The Sun also reported that Hurzeler would not leave Brighton for Man Utd. Alongside Hurzeler, Julian Nagelsmann emerged as a leading contender among the names appreciated by the club hierarchy, according to talkSPORT reporting.
Unai Emery also formed part of Manchester United’s broader managerial evaluation process before the club appointed Carrick. Reports indicate Emery would require considerable convincing to leave Aston Villa given the significant control he holds at Villa Park following a summer of notable squad exits. Additional names discussed during routine succession planning include Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe, Simone Inzaghi, and Cesc Fabregas, though sources distinguish routine evaluation from active interviewing.
Further reporting from the Daily Mail outlined a broader five-man shortlist that included Hurzeler, Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe, Kieran McKenna, and Antonio Conte. While Conte remains available following his departure from Napoli, internal reservations persist among figures at United regarding the Italian manager. McKenna has remained out of work since leaving Ipswich Town following their promotion campaign, and Howe departed Newcastle United in the summer after previously drawing interest from former United director Dan Ashworth. At that time, United instead opted to appoint Ruben Amorim.
BREAKING: Fabian Hürzeler is not interested in leaving Brighton for Manchester United.Hürzeler one of the names appreciated in case Michael Carrick departs.Julian Nagelsmann also viewed as one of the leading contenders.More on @talkSPORT.🤝 @alex_crook pic.twitter.com/gst76yIzjj
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