Today, we ran the latest edition of our subscriber-exclusive Ask Ornstein Q&A. For just over an hour, The Athletic’s subscribers could ask me for my views on anything from the world of football.
From possible managerial candidates who might take charge at Manchester United to Anthony Gordon’s future, here are the questions that were put to me and my answers to them.
Note: Some questions have been edited for brevity.
Layton M. asked: “If Newcastle were to change manager, who would be in contention for the role?”
David Ornstein: If that was to happen — and it’s a big ‘if’ because at present, as there is no suggestion of Howe leaving — there would be no shortage of high-calibre candidates; it’s a very attractive position.
However, I would temper expectations around some of the big names that have been linked to the role. The financial issues Newcastle are experiencing might not be particularly attractive to coaches who want to join a side who can spend lavishly on new signings. As we’re seeing, that is simply not possible at St James’s Park because of the club’s PSR situation.
Granted, the Premier League is moving to the new SCR (squad cost ratio) system, similar to that already adopted by UEFA, but all indications are that Newcastle will continue to be restricted in the market. Even if they sell players for massive money, word is they probably won’t be able to reinvest everything they make in fresh recruits and may instead have to make do with a more modest budget.
This is one of numerous factors that I’m sure will be on the minds of potential candidates should Howe depart. Others include the project and direction of the club, given the question marks over Newcastle’s progress and plans on and off the pitch.
Mohammed A. asked: “Is Michael Carrick in pole position to take the job at Manchester United. Do you know of other candidates in the running?”
Ornstein: United’s target when Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim was to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Carrick is on course to achieve that and, if he does, it’s a big tick in his box.
Clearly, results so far — and his popularity inside and outside the club — put Carrick in a very strong position, although Monday provided something of a reality check and I suspect some food for thought among the club’s powerbrokers. United insist they are in no rush and that it’s about seeing how the Champions League quest goes before deciding next steps. Should they book their place, I’d expect them to finalise a shortlist including Carrick.
Many feel there’s no way United can overlook Carrick if he delivers, but even then, there are still many factors. How well-equipped is he for the full-time job with such limited experience in such a role? How will he fare juggling domestic and European football, and specifically the blue-riband competition? How will he cope with and contribute to the summer transfer market?
Then you have to think about other options. If the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Luis Enrique and Carlo Ancelotti were available, we might be having a different conversation. But Tuchel has signed a new contract with England, and he and Ancelotti will be at the World Cup — and, even if they were gettable, by the time they’re free, it will arguably be too late for United.
While Luis Enrique is expected to sign a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain, Julian Nagelsmann also has the World Cup issue, and there is no indication of Unai Emery leaving Aston Villa — and I’m not sure he and United would be a good fit for one another.
Luis Enrique is expected to sign a new deal in the French capital (Thomas Samson / AFP via Getty Images)
The way things are going, I don’t see United picking the likes of Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner or Marco Silva ahead of Carrick — although if they miss out on the Champions League, I assume they would all come into play. That’s why we’ll have to be a bit patient.
I hear United have completed all of their background work and no doubt spoken to representatives, although I’m told no interviews with candidates have taken place yet; if they had, we would probably have heard whispers at the very least.
It’s a huge call for United and their sporting director Jason Wilcox — he’s leading the process and will make a recommendation to the board. As things stand, it might feel like Carrick is in pole position.
Mendi G. asked: “Do you know if Chelsea are looking to bring a new striker this summer or if Nicolas Jackson will be reintegrated?”
Ornstein: Definitely expecting an attacker and a centre-back, the attacker perhaps being versatile as opposed to an out-and-out striker.
I’m not sure about Jackson — I’ll need to make some checks on that one. Chelsea’s aim this summer, from what we’re told, is to sign starter-level players who are ready to impact immediately across domestic and European competitions, not solely talents for the future.
That doesn’t automatically mean older or Premier League-experienced men, but rather recruits who can hit the ground running. Much like Cole Palmer did after joining from Manchester City and Joao Pedro following his move from Brighton.
Joseph B. asked: “Have you got any information on any of the big player sales Arsenal are expected to entertain this summer? I’ve seen rumours of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, as well as players such as Gabriel Martinelli, Ben White etc etc…”
Ornstein: I’ve heard nothing concrete yet but there are some obvious candidates and, following such heavy investment in recent years, it sounds like sales will be really important to Arsenal this summer.
It’s not clear if sales will have to come before signings or not, but they will have to come…
Attila T. asked: “Can you envisage a scenario in which Arsenal could have a new manager for the next season?”
Ornstein: I’m sure Arsenal want Mikel Arteta to continue into next season and beyond — he’s contracted until June 2027, at present — while it sounds from Arteta’s own words as though he wants the same.
If things go badly for them between now and the summer, I’m sure there will be some very difficult conversations, and it would be naive of me to say I can’t see a world in which he departs — nothing surprises you in football and (for various reasons) I would say that about pretty much every Premier League club at the moment.
So, the intention is clear — but, obviously, there is a lot riding on the weeks ahead.
Zaocha W. asked: “Arsenal appears to be facing significant issues in attack this season, particularly in the left-wing position. There are many transfer rumours circulating, such as links to Anthony Gordon and Bradley Barcola. Has Arsenal’s summer transfer window work already begun?”
Ornstein: Every club will have started their work in some way or another. It’s clear Arsenal want an attacker — and, referring to your question, Gordon and Barcola have been among the players they (and most other teams at this level) have liked for a while.
Similarly, Julian Alvarez, and there will naturally be more. I’m not aware of anything firm at present.
Julian Alvarez has played a huge role in getting Atletico Madrid to the Champions League semi-finals (Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Faisal P. asked: “Are Chelsea likely to go for an experienced manager if Liam Rosenior fails, or will Clearlake continue with their existing approach? And are the sporting directors’ positions considered untenable this time around? What needs to give for them to realise their project and approach is a catastrophic failure?”
Ornstein: As things stand, I’m only aware of the Chelsea hierarchy backing Liam Rosenior and the sporting directors. Their aim is not to review Rosenior until he has had a full season — at the earliest — so that’s the summer of 2027. It was the same for Enzo Maresca and Mauricio Pochettino. Whether that will change, I have no idea, but it’s my understanding of the intention.
The sporting directors signed new contracts not so long ago, and I haven’t received any suggestion of changes in that area. Headhunters helping Tottenham Hotspur with their sporting director search are said to have contacted Paul Winstanley — among multiple potential candidates — some time ago, but I would not expect anything to develop on that front.
Joseph B. also asked: “Are Bayern Munich the current favourites to sign Anthony Gordon? And are Arsenal expected to act on their long-standing interest?”
Ornstein: I’m not sure there truly is a favourite at this point, Joseph, because it is still so early. Bayern’s interest is not new, and we know the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool have coveted him previously, too. There are plenty of suggestions around the industry that Bayern could be the direction of travel — but I imagine they would need to shift somebody because they wouldn’t want Gordon as a backup and he won’t want to go somewhere as a backup.
I don’t know of him being at the top of Arsenal’s list and, from what I hear, a move to Liverpool is not on his or their agenda, even after Hugo Ekitike’s injury. Newcastle seem open to a sale — but at the right price, and if the reported £80million is true, that will not be easily achieved.
Andrew P. asked: “If Nottingham Forest stay up, is it likely that they look to make another managerial change even if Vitor Pereira is classed as a success?”
Ornstein: I’ve not received any suggestions, to date, of another change coming this summer, Andrew. There is total focus on the remainder of this domestic and European campaign. Nothing surprises you at Forest, but the Pereira situation feels relatively settled at present.
Luke C. asked: “If Liverpool only plan to sign three to four players and keep Arne Slot as head coach, surely this isn’t going to be enough to see the drastic improvement they need to get back to the levels they need to be at?”
Ornstein: Why not? They were Premier League champions less than a year ago, and there’s nothing to say they can’t return to those levels in the not-too-distant future.
This season has not been good enough by Liverpool’s standards, with a huge range of mitigations and plenty of mistakes. But if they have a strong summer and stick with Slot — which, as things stand, I expect them to do — let’s see what they can deliver.
Arjun S. asked: “You have mentioned previously how Slot has the full backing of FSG to continue into next season with Liverpool, yet when a manager like Xabi Alonso is available, surely that demands consideration? It also feels almost inconceivable that Alonso would be without a club come the start of next season…”
Ornstein: As I mentioned on yesterday’s podcast, Arjun, I’m not aware of Alonso being on Liverpool’s agenda.
People might not like to hear that — and if I’m proved wrong, you can all laugh at me. However, I can only relay the information I source and corroborate at a particular time: Liverpool’s intention is to continue with Slot.
Obviously, if things completely unravel, we might be having a different conversation — and even if a change were to be made (Slot is only contracted until 2027, and there don’t appear to be any talks yet over an extension), I don’t have any information to suggest Alonso would be in line to replace him.
Thorthunder O. asked: “How is the summer midfielder hunt shaping up? Potentially City, United, Liverpool, Arsenal all looking at the same pool of midfielders in the likes of Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Sandro Tonali etc…”
Ornstein: Anderson is Manchester United’s top target, but Manchester City are also in the frame, with Bernardo Silva leaving and Rodri’s future uncertain.
If they sell, Forest want to break the Premier League transfer record for a midfielder, and if they stay true to that, will both of those suitors be willing to pay it? Anderson also already earns in excess of £100,000 per week, so you’re going to need to offer him an extremely high salary. Clubs are calling Forest but they are focusing solely on the end of their campaign, with no proper negotiations for now. And Anderson is said to be behaving impeccably in not agitating for a move. He also has a World Cup to think about.
We know about the widespread admiration for Wharton, but Palace will demand a very high price for him, and it will be interesting to see if anybody is willing to pay it. For example, clubs such as United would see him as an option for a second midfielder signing — not the first, which in their case would be Anderson or another — and therefore they might not want to go anywhere near the level of fee Palace will seek.
Adam Wharton will not come cheap if Crystal Palace sell (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Tonali has lots of interest, as has been well documented, and the amount of noise would suggest his camp might be keen on exploring their options — but I don’t think there is a clear picture yet on what will happen.
Carlos Baleba likewise. There are other serious candidates for this position who are perhaps receiving less media attention (Alex Scott, etc) but should not be discounted. I’m sure we’ll speak a lot more about them in the weeks ahead.
Charles J. asked: “Is Marco Silva staying or going at Fulham? Same for Harry Wilson?”
Ornstein: No decision on Silva yet, Charles. Fulham want him to stay and have offered an attractive new deal, but he has yet to decide whether to stay or go. Wilson has long been expected to depart as a free agent and has suitors in the Premier League and beyond.
Anonymous U. asked: “Any truth to Kvara to Arsenal rumours?”
Ornstein: Everyone loves Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but I fully expect him to stay at Paris Saint-Germain — he seems extremely happy there, and they are certainly extremely happy with him. I don’t think Arsenal or anyone else has a chance at the moment.
Edward C. asked: “Where do you see Kieran McKenna managing next season? Still at Ipswich, a move to the Premier League, like Bournemouth or Fulham? Or up to Celtic?
Ornstein: Great question. Given Ipswich’s trajectory and the interest from other Premier League clubs, I’d imagine he’ll be in the English top flight next season.
Kieran McKenna has forged an excellent reputation from his spell at Ipswich Town (George Wood/Getty Images)
Jonny S. asked: “Who is in the mix to be Bournemouth’s next manager?
Ornstein: Marco Rose and McKenna are leading the way — both superb options. I’d expect a decision sooner rather than later.
David R. asked: “How much is the World Cup affecting plans for clubs ahead of next season? Is there a desire to get deals done early, or are they planning to wait until after?
Ornstein: The biggest factor affecting transfer activity at present, David, is the amount of managerial uncertainty. Most players want to know who they will be working under. Of course, loads of background work is happening; however, there really needs to be some clarity in the dugout before the market can properly get going.
Then, the World Cup will certainly delay a lot of business, so expect a very busy period after the tournament and right up to the deadline. One move I expect to happen early is Ederson out of Atalanta: a year to go on contract, no sign of a renewal and all parties expect him to go. Suitors think they can get him for around €40m, while Atalanta hope to get more towards €50m. His agent is said to be working hard at it. There’s interest from the likes of Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal and others.
Anonymous U. asked: “If you had to gamble on Iraola’s next club, where does he end up, and why is the answer Crystal Palace?”
Ornstein: Palace are really keen on him and it would be fascinating to see him there — but no decisions yet. He will assess his options, and Palace have other candidates, too.