{"id":588366,"date":"2026-04-16T20:09:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T20:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/588366\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T20:09:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T20:09:12","slug":"man-united-manager-candidates-arsenal-outgoings-gordon-interest-slot-safe-ask-ornstein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/588366\/","title":{"rendered":"Man United manager candidates? Arsenal outgoings? Gordon interest? Slot safe? \u2013 Ask Ornstein"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, we ran the latest edition of our subscriber-exclusive Ask Ornstein Q&A<\/a>. For just over an hour, The Athletic\u2019s subscribers could ask me for my views on anything from the world of football.<\/p>\n

From possible managerial candidates who might take charge at Manchester United to Anthony Gordon\u2019s future, here are the questions that were put to me and my answers to them.<\/p>\n

Note: Some questions have been edited for brevity.<\/p>\n

Layton M. asked: \u201cIf Newcastle were to change manager, who would be in contention for the role?\u201d<\/p>\n

David Ornstein: If that was to happen \u2014 and it\u2019s a big \u2018if\u2019 because at present, as there is no suggestion of Howe leaving \u2014 there would be no shortage of high-calibre candidates; it\u2019s a very attractive position.<\/p>\n

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\u2019re seeing, that is simply not possible at St James\u2019s Park because of the club\u2019s PSR situation.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t be able to reinvest everything they make in fresh recruits and may instead have to make do with a more modest budget.<\/p>\n

This is one of numerous factors that I\u2019m 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\u2019s progress and plans on and off the pitch.<\/p>\n

Mohammed A. asked: \u201cIs Michael Carrick in pole position to take the job at Manchester United. Do you know of other candidates in the running?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ornstein: United\u2019s target when Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim was to qualify for next season\u2019s Champions League. Carrick is on course to achieve that and, if he does, it\u2019s a big tick in his box.<\/p>\n

Clearly, results so far \u2014 and his popularity inside and outside the club \u2014 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\u2019s powerbrokers. United insist they are in no rush and that it\u2019s about seeing how the Champions League quest goes before deciding next steps. Should they book their place, I\u2019d expect them to finalise a shortlist including Carrick.<\/p>\n

Many feel there\u2019s 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?<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 and, even if they were gettable, by the time they\u2019re free, it will arguably be too late for United.<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 and I\u2019m not sure he and United would be a good fit for one another.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Luis Enrique is expected to sign a new deal in the French capital (Thomas Samson \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The way things are going, I don\u2019t see United picking the likes of Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner or Marco Silva ahead of Carrick \u2014 although if they miss out on the Champions League, I assume they would all come into play. That\u2019s why we\u2019ll have to be a bit patient.<\/p>\n

I hear United have completed all of their background work and no doubt spoken to representatives, although I\u2019m told no interviews with candidates have taken place yet; if they had, we would probably have heard whispers at the very least.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a huge call for United and their sporting director Jason Wilcox \u2014 he\u2019s leading the process and will make a recommendation to the board. As things stand, it might feel like Carrick is in pole position.<\/p>\n

Mendi G. asked: \u201cDo you know if Chelsea are looking to bring a new striker this summer or if Nicolas Jackson will be reintegrated?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ornstein:\u00a0Definitely expecting an attacker and a centre-back, the attacker perhaps being versatile as opposed to an out-and-out striker.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not sure about Jackson \u2014 I\u2019ll need to make some checks on that one. Chelsea\u2019s aim this summer, from what we\u2019re told, is to sign starter-level players who are ready to impact immediately across domestic and European competitions, not solely talents for the future.<\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Joseph B. asked: \u201cHave you got any information on any of the big player sales Arsenal are expected to entertain this summer? I\u2019ve seen rumours of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, as well as players such as Gabriel Martinelli, Ben White etc etc\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ornstein: I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not clear if sales will have to come before signings or not, but they will have to come\u2026<\/p>\n

Attila T. asked: \u201cCan you envisage a scenario in which Arsenal could have a new manager for the next season?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ornstein: I\u2019m sure Arsenal want Mikel Arteta to continue into next season and beyond\u00a0 \u2014 he\u2019s contracted until June 2027, at present \u2014 while it sounds from Arteta\u2019s own words as though he wants the same.<\/p>\n

If things go badly for them between now and the summer, I\u2019m sure there will be some very difficult conversations, and it would be naive of me to say I can\u2019t see a world in which he departs \u2014 nothing surprises you in football and (for various reasons) I would say that about pretty much every Premier League club at the moment.<\/p>\n

So, the intention is clear \u2014 but, obviously, there is a lot riding on the weeks ahead.<\/p>\n

Zaocha W. asked: \u201cArsenal 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\u2019s summer transfer window work already begun?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ornstein:\u00a0Every club will have started their work in some way or another. It\u2019s clear Arsenal want an attacker \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

Similarly, Julian Alvarez, and there will naturally be more. I\u2019m not aware of anything firm at present.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Julian Alvarez has played a huge role in getting Atletico Madrid to the Champions League semi-finals (Pablo Rodriguez\/Quality Sport Images\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Faisal P. asked: \u201cAre 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\u2019 positions considered untenable this time around? What needs to give for them to realise their project and approach is a catastrophic failure?\u201d
Ornstein: As things stand, I\u2019m 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 \u2014 at the earliest \u2014 so that\u2019s the summer of 2027. It was the same for Enzo Maresca and Mauricio Pochettino. Whether that will change, I have no idea, but it\u2019s my understanding of the intention.<\/p>\n

The sporting directors signed new contracts not so long ago, and I haven\u2019t received any suggestion of changes in that area. Headhunters helping Tottenham Hotspur with their sporting director search are said to have contacted Paul Winstanley \u2014 among multiple potential candidates \u2014 some time ago, but I would not expect anything to develop on that front.<\/p>\n

Joseph B. also asked: \u201cAre Bayern Munich the current favourites to sign Anthony Gordon? And are Arsenal expected to act on their long-standing interest?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ornstein: I\u2019m not sure there truly is a favourite at this point, Joseph, because it is still so early. Bayern\u2019s 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 \u2014 but I imagine they would need to shift somebody because they wouldn\u2019t want Gordon as a backup and he won\u2019t want to go somewhere as a backup.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know of him being at the top of Arsenal\u2019s list and, from what I hear, a move to Liverpool is not on his or their agenda, even after Hugo Ekitike\u2019s injury. Newcastle seem open to a sale \u2014 but at the right price, and if the reported \u00a380million is true, that will not be easily achieved.<\/p>\n

Andrew P. asked: \u201cIf Nottingham Forest stay up, is it likely that they look to make another managerial change even if Vitor Pereira is classed as a success?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ornstein: I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

Luke C. asked: \u201cIf Liverpool only plan to sign three to four players and keep Arne Slot as head coach, surely this isn\u2019t going to be enough to see the drastic improvement they need to get back to the levels they need to be at?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ornstein:\u00a0Why not? They were Premier League champions less than a year ago, and there\u2019s nothing to say they can\u2019t return to those levels in the not-too-distant future.<\/p>\n

This season has not been good enough by Liverpool\u2019s standards, with a huge range of mitigations and plenty of mistakes. But if they have a strong summer and stick with Slot \u2014 which, as things stand, I expect them to do \u2014 let\u2019s see what they can deliver.<\/p>\n

Arjun S. asked: \u201cYou 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\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ornstein: As I mentioned on yesterday\u2019s podcast, Arjun, I\u2019m not aware of Alonso being on Liverpool\u2019s agenda.<\/p>\n

People might not like to hear that \u2014 and if I\u2019m proved wrong, you can all laugh at me. However, I can only relay the information I source and corroborate at a particular time: Liverpool\u2019s intention is to continue with Slot.<\/p>\n

Obviously, if things completely unravel, we might be having a different conversation \u2014 and even if a change were to be made (Slot is only contracted until 2027, and there don\u2019t appear to be any talks yet over an extension), I don\u2019t have any information to suggest Alonso would be in line to replace him.<\/p>\n

Thorthunder O. asked: \u201cHow 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\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ornstein: Anderson is Manchester United\u2019s top target, but Manchester City are also in the frame, with Bernardo Silva leaving and Rodri\u2019s future uncertain.<\/p>\n

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 \u00a3100,000 per week, so you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 not the first, which in their case would be Anderson or another \u2014 and therefore they might not want to go anywhere near the level of fee Palace will seek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Adam Wharton will not come cheap if Crystal Palace sell (Mike Hewitt\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 but I don\u2019t think there is a clear picture yet on what will happen.<\/p>\n

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\u2019m sure we\u2019ll speak a lot more about them in the weeks ahead.<\/p>\n

Charles J. asked: \u201cIs Marco Silva staying or going at Fulham? Same for Harry Wilson?\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Anonymous U. asked: \u201cAny truth to Kvara to Arsenal rumours?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ornstein: Everyone loves Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but I fully expect him to stay at Paris Saint-Germain \u2014 he seems extremely happy there, and they are certainly extremely happy with him. I don\u2019t think Arsenal or anyone else has a chance at the moment.<\/p>\n

Edward C. asked: \u201cWhere 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?<\/p>\n

Ornstein: Great question. Given Ipswich\u2019s trajectory and the interest from other Premier League clubs, I\u2019d imagine he\u2019ll be in the English top flight next season.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Kieran McKenna has forged an excellent reputation from his spell at Ipswich Town (George Wood\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Jonny S. asked: \u201cWho is in the mix to be Bournemouth\u2019s next manager?<\/p>\n

Ornstein: Marco Rose and McKenna are leading the way \u2014 both superb options. I\u2019d expect a decision sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n

David R. asked: \u201cHow 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?<\/p>\n

Ornstein:\u00a0The 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.<\/p>\n

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 \u20ac40m, while Atalanta hope to get more towards \u20ac50m. His agent is said to be working hard at it. There\u2019s interest from the likes of Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal and others.<\/p>\n

Anonymous U. asked: \u201cIf you had to gamble on Iraola\u2019s next club, where does he end up, and why is the answer Crystal Palace?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ornstein: Palace are really keen on him and it would be fascinating to see him there \u2014 but no decisions yet. He will assess his options, and Palace have other candidates, too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Today, we ran the latest edition of our subscriber-exclusive Ask Ornstein Q&A. For just over an hour, The…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":588367,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[463,257183,7867,4897,3522,35420,10535,464,2640,2098,17717,6797,3450,3788,9870,2732,1088,1084,34640,403,99,4899],"class_list":{"0":"post-588366","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-soccer","8":"tag-arsenal","9":"tag-atalanta-bergamasca-calcio","10":"tag-atletico-madrid","11":"tag-bayern-munich","12":"tag-bournemouth","13":"tag-brighton-hove-albion","14":"tag-champions-league","15":"tag-chelsea","16":"tag-crystal-palace","17":"tag-fifa-club-world-cup","18":"tag-fulham","19":"tag-germany","20":"tag-liverpool","21":"tag-manchester-united","22":"tag-newcastle-united","23":"tag-nottingham-forest","24":"tag-paris-saint-germain","25":"tag-premier-league","26":"tag-serie-a","27":"tag-soccer","28":"tag-sports","29":"tag-tottenham-hotspur"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=588366"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588366\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/588367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=588366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=588366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=588366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}