Neville's Three-Man Shortlist for Manchester United: Tuchel, Simeone, and Valverde in the Frame

Ruben Amorim's tenure at Manchester United ended abruptly on Monday morning, mere hours after a 1-1 stalemate with Leeds United left the club languishing in sixth place, three points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

The Portuguese tactician departs Old Trafford with the club's hierarchy citing tensions behind the scenes—particularly a breakdown with technical director Wilcox—as the driving force, though the goalless draw at Elland Road provided the final push.

Speaking on Sky Sports' The Premier League Show that evening, Gary Neville acknowledged the dismissal represented "a poor reflection upon everybody" but stopped short of endorsing any particular successor. Instead, the United legend outlined three coaches he holds in high regard: England manager Thomas Tuchel, Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone, and Athletic Bilbao's Ernesto Valverde.

"There are coaches that I like. I like Tuchel. I like Simeone at Atletico Madrid. I like Valverde. I think Valverde is a fantastic coach," Neville explained. "But are they really opportunities for Manchester United to go and get these coaches? I don't know. I have no idea."

Neville emphasised the urgency facing United's recruitment apparatus, insisting they must act decisively after months of mounting difficulties. "The most important thing is that Manchester United's scouting department, recruitment department and sporting director have got their eyes open, have seen this coming over the last few months, and already have an idea of what they need to do next."

The former defender lamented a decade-long cycle of managerial misfires, noting that United cannot afford further missteps. "It's been a real struggle for the last 10 or 12 years for all these good managers and coaches who have come to Old Trafford to try and get the results the club demand. And United can't keep getting it wrong. They've got to get it right at some point."

Return to United's DNA

Rather than simply naming a replacement, Neville used the opportunity to articulate what he believes the next appointment must embody: a commitment to the attacking, entertaining football that traditionally defines Manchester United.

He pointed to recent appointments—Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho, David Moyes, Erik ten Hag, and Amorim himself—as examples of managers whose philosophies diverged fundamentally from United's established identity. "The experiments have got to stop," Neville declared.

Drawing comparison to institutions like Ajax and Barcelona, which remain steadfast in their playing philosophy regardless of personnel, Neville argued United must similarly appoint someone aligned with the club's traditions. "Manchester United must take risks and be courageous and play with attacking, aggressive football," he said, referencing a Bobby Charlton video emphasising the importance of managerial fit.

"These managers that have come in, fantastic managers, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Eric ten Hag, Ruben, are brilliant coaches. You can't say they're not good coaches, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they've all come in with different ideas, different styles of play, different philosophies, and none of them really fit the Manchester United way."

The solution, according to Neville, lies in identifying an experienced manager willing to deliver swift, attacking football that entertains the paying supporters seeking respite from their working week.

The Tuchel Factor

Tuchel's name has circulated persistently around Old Trafford ever since he narrowly missed out on the job when Erik ten Hag retained his position last summer. Neville has previously praised the German as a "great coach" whose trophy haul speaks volumes about his credentials.

"Thomas Tuchel has got a proven track record. He's proven that he can win big knockout matches," Neville remarked when Tuchel's England appointment was confirmed in October 2024.

Bookmakers currently favour Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner as the frontrunner, with the Belgian out of contract at season's end. Gareth Southgate and Eddie Howe of Newcastle United are also reportedly on United's radar.