Manchester United have consistently churned out players-turned-coaches and right now, Sir Alex Ferguson’s coaching tree spans across many leagues and countries. Plenty of club icons have switched to become a manager since retiring and at a time when the pressure on current Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is mounting, Express Sport looks at five former United players who could one day end up in the top job…
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney has recently returned to the UK after coaching DC United in MLS, having taken charge of Birmingham in the Championship. He recently faced off against Carrick and suffered a 1-0 defeat, one of the three losses he has overseen since John Eustace was sacked in favour of the United and England legend.
Many at the club would surely love for Rooney – the club’s all-time top goalscorer – to come back as manager and time could be on his side if Ten Hag is given time to turn United’s fortunes around. However, his start at Birmingham will not have inspired confidence that he could return to Manchester as a head coach.
Gabriel Heinze
Gabriel Heinze only spent three years at United between 2004 and 2007 but made himself a fan favourite with his tenacious nature on the pitch. Since retiring, he has turned to coaching in his homeland Argentina and after a spell in MLS with Atlanta United, he has impressed at Newell’s Old Boys.
Heinze previously led Argentinos Juniors to two promotions and twice helped Velez Sarsfield qualify for the Copa Sudamericana, should he continue in the same vein a move to Europe could be a stepping stone to one day taking over at Old Trafford.
