Manchester United have widened their search for a potential successor to Michael Carrick, with Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeness emerging as an option under consideration at Old Trafford.
Carrick eased some of the pressure surrounding his position with United’s 3-2 Champions League victory over Roma. However, the club’s hierarchy are continuing to assess alternatives after a poor start to the season.
Eddie Howe has been repeatedly linked with the role, but reports suggest senior figures at United are not entirely convinced that the former Newcastle manager is the right long-term appointment.
Sebastian Hoeness emerges as Manchester United option
Hoeness is highly regarded for his work in Germany and is understood to have been discussed as a possible candidate. His Stuttgart team are associated with aggressive pressing, intelligent positional play and the development of young players.
Those qualities align with the direction Manchester United have been seeking to establish within their football structure. Appointing Hoeness would represent a more modern and potentially more ambitious choice than turning to an experienced Premier League manager.
There would nevertheless be considerable risk in placing him immediately in charge at Old Trafford. Questions remain over whether moving directly from Stuttgart to Manchester United would be too significant a step, particularly given the demands and scrutiny attached to the job.
Hoeness is contracted to Stuttgart until 2029 and does not have a release clause. United would therefore likely have to pay substantial compensation if they decided to appoint him.
Howe remains firmly in contention and would offer Premier League experience, knowledge of English football and a potentially simpler appointment. He has admirers within Old Trafford and is reportedly ready to take the job immediately should Carrick be dismissed.
For now, Carrick remains in charge, but United’s continued consideration of alternatives indicates that preparations are being made should results lead the club to change manager. The choice facing INEOS would be between the relative security of Howe and the longer-term potential of Hoeness.
