Man Utd Target Bundesliga Boss as Club Initiates Manager Hunt

Manchester United have investigated the potential appointment of Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovač, according to German media reports, as the club evaluates candidates to become their next permanent head coach from summer 2026 onward.

Michael Carrick has been given the role until the season's conclusion, after Ruben Amorim's departure and Darren Fletcher's brief two-match stint as interim manager, and began with an ideal 2–0 victory in the Manchester derby.

Carrick, who utilized his extensive knowledge and bond with the 'United philosophy' to deliver such a display, is essentially trying out for the permanent position. However, the club's executive team are anticipated to evaluate multiple candidates.

Following the Amorim project's collapse 14 months after his hiring, United face pressure to make the correct choice if 'Project 150'—securing the Premier League championship to mark the club's 150th birthday in 2028—is to remain viable.

Sky Germany reports that Kovač is "among the candidates" at Old Trafford after making an impression at Dortmund since taking charge of a struggling team twelve months ago.

Described as "direct and practical", the Croatian took over a squad positioned 11th in the Bundesliga during last season's midpoint, but guided them to fourth position and Champions League qualification—they also advanced to the quarter-finals of that tournament before Barcelona eliminated them.

This campaign, Dortmund sit second in Germany behind domestic powerhouse Bayern Munich and are favorably positioned to again advance to the knockout stages in Europe's top club tournament.

Dortmund decided last summer to extend Kovač's deal until 2027, though the report indicates managing an English club remains on his professional wishlist. He reportedly declined Tottenham Hotspur in 2021 following José Mourinho's dismissal, while at Monaco then, and was apparently considered by Chelsea this month before they appointed Liam Rosenior.

Does Niko Kovac Fit What Man Utd Want in a Manager?

Does Niko Kovac Fit What Man Utd Want in a Manager?

Berlin-native Kovač had a reasonably modest playing career that culminated with two seasons at Bayern Munich from 2001–2003. He had been a late developer, not reaching the top division until a 1996 move to Bayer Leverkusen when he was nearly 25 and subsequently playing a supporting role at Bayern, before returning to hometown team Hertha BSC. Joining Red Bull Salzburg at age 34 produced only his fourth medal after Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Intercontinental Cup victories at Bayern.

Following three years coaching within Salzburg's system, Kovač became a manager when he assumed control of Croatia U21s in 2012, elevated to senior national team coach in 2013. He subsequently led Eintracht Frankfurt to their first silverware in three decades with a DFB Pokal in 2018, and then directed Bayern to a domestic double during the 2018–19 season. Nevertheless, a disappointing beginning to the next campaign led to Kovač's exit, after which Hansi Flick took the identical squad to the club's second treble ever.

Kovač experienced successes as Monaco boss, defeating Paris Saint-Germain twice, but he was dismissed by the principality side in 2022 and then by Wolfsburg in 2024 after returning to Germany—suffering more defeats with the latter than victories across a two-year period. Essentially, no silverware since 2019.

While there has been recent conjecture that Manchester United are less enthusiastic about Luis Enrique—the manager who eventually brought PSG Champions League success after numerous predecessors had attempted and failed—due to his absence of Premier League background, the Manchester Evening News stated last week that "championship credentials" is a vital aspect of the club's pursuit.

Kovač also lacks Premier League background and it's questionable whether he truly satisfies the "championship credentials" requirement given just one league championship in his club management career. Arguably very few genuinely do in the manner that Enrique does—even Mauricio Pochettino, someone United have pursued multiple times previously over several years, cannot claim extensive silverware.

Oliver Glasner will be free in the summer and possesses Premier League background from his period at Crystal Palace, but he has never managed a elite team, has secured only two trophies as a coach and never a league championship. His playing career produced just two Austrian Cups.

Didier Deschamps has claimed the World Cup as both player and manager, arguably the ultimate "championship credentials", and is departing his role after the 2026 competition. But whether he would desire to return to club management, either immediately or at all, 14 years after his final position is uncertain.

Carlo Ancelotti, champion of a Premier League and FA Cup double with Chelsea in 2009–10 alongside his legendary Champions League achievements with AC Milan and Real Madrid, might be available should Brazil struggle at the World Cup and the Seleção not renew his contract beyond July.