Manchester United's hierarchy has received a serious warning regarding the potential appointment of Antonio Conte as head coach should Michael Carrick be relieved of his duties.
The Italian manager is seeking a new challenge after leaving Napoli at the end of the last season. With previous Premier League experience with Chelsea and Tottenham, Conte is viewed by many as a prime candidate to replace Carrick amid speculation following the Red Devils' poor start to the current Premier League campaign. With just five points from their opening five matches and an early exit from the EFL Cup, Carrick's position is increasingly under scrutiny.
Italian journalist Marco Messina has indicated that the 57-year-old is keen on a move to Old Trafford:
Conte wants to join Manchester United. This move has been on the cards for a while now. There’s no manager in world football currently better positioned to deliver instant success.
Jason Cundy’s argument: quick results at the cost of an inevitable crisis
Ex-Chelsea player Jason Cundy has cautioned the club's hierarchy against signing the fiery Italian, reminding them of the quick deterioration of atmosphere during Conte’s tenure at Stamford Bridge:
Conte is capable of delivering trophies in no time — he’s a fiery Italian, but he will undoubtedly clash openly with others, as he did at Chelsea.
It went beyond disagreements with the owners and executives; his relationships with key players soured, and everything went downhill alarmingly fast.
Sure, he won the Premier League and the FA Cup. But if Jose Mourinho rates a 10 for losing control of his emotions, Conte is a solid 6 or 7. Sooner or later, that structure will buckle.
Fabrizio Romano’s stance and Carrick’s credit
Despite the mounting pressure and the circulating names of Conte and Julian Nagelsmann, esteemed insider Fabrizio Romano emphasises that the club’s hierarchy remains confident in Michael Carrick.
There is a firm belief within the club that the players are fully behind the head coach, and there is no division in the dressing room. However, with a dismal record of three defeats, two draws, and just two victories (against Ipswich and Sabah) in the last seven matches across all competitions, the room for manoeuvre is limited. The pivotal test for Carrick will be the home clash against Tottenham immediately following the international break.
