Jamie Carragher has emphatically ruled out Gareth Southgate as a contender for the Manchester United managerial position, leaving Thierry Henry stunned.
When presenter David Jones raised Southgate’s name as a potential candidate on Sky Sports, the former Liverpool defender responded bluntly: “Oh no… he’s not getting that job!”
The dismissal prompted an astonished reaction from guest Thierry Henry, who exclaimed “Wow. Wow!” while laughing at Carragher’s forthright assessment.
Carragher added: “I hope he’s not watching!”
The discussion comes as United seek a permanent head coach following Ruben Amorim’s departure earlier this month.
Michael Carrick has taken temporary charge and secured an encouraging 2-0 victory against Manchester City on Saturday.
Carragher presented his preferred quartet of candidates to replace Amorim: Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel, Luis Enrique and Eddie Howe.
Jamie Carragher has emphatically ruled out Gareth Southgate as a contender for the Manchester United managerial position, leaving Thierry Henry stunned
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SKYSPORTS
He worked through a list of 25 potential managers during the broadcast, eliminating all but these four names.
The current England boss Tuchel received particular praise from Carragher, who noted that he “still has that energy and drive about him” and has “ruffled feathers” during his time with the national team.
Carragher suggested Tuchel would “go to war” for his club, a quality he clearly values for the Old Trafford role.
Gareth Southgate guided England to two major finals during his time in the dugout and has emerged as a potential managerial option for Manchester United | PA
Germany manager Nagelsmann was also highlighted as someone with “something to prove” in the game.
Carragher systematically worked through the remaining candidates, dismissing each for specific reasons.
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was immediately excluded due to his connections to the Anfield club, with Xabi Alonso receiving the same treatment.
Carlo Ancelotti, now managing Brazil, was deemed to lack “the energy and drive to get United up the league”, while Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone was rejected as a “defensive manager” whose appointment would contradict United’s attacking DNA.
Regarding interim manager Carrick, Carragher was unequivocal: “I don’t believe Manchester United can win the league with Michael Carrick as manager.”
He explained his reasoning: “You have to be really special.
Jamie Carragher believes Thomas Tuchel will be the next permanent manager of Manchester United
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“Think of the managers who have won the Premier League, 99 per cent of them are special, and I think Michael Carrick lacks that.”
Henry offered a more philosophical perspective on United’s recruitment challenge, suggesting the club lacks clarity about its identity and direction.
When asked whether any eliminated names should return to consideration, the Arsenal legend indicated uncertainty about what United are “about” or what their “DNA is”.
Despite this ambiguity, the pair eventually settled on the four-man shortlist, with Henry declining to advocate for additional candidates.
Carragher concluded the discussion with a prediction about the likely outcome of United’s search.
“I think, if you are Manchester United – everyone will want Luis Enrique – I think there is a good chance they could end up with Thomas Tuchel,” he said.
