Manchester United manager search: Is the club’s ‘DNA’ relevant in the search for a new manager?

Manchester UnitedThe latest search for a new manager yet Ruben Amorim sacked He revived the time-honored calling of his successor to fit the club’s “DNA”.

This mysterious commodity is a comfort blanket in times of turmoil – often reminding us of glory days and happier times.

Following Amorim’s departure, former United defender Gary Neville believes the Red Devils have reached the point where they need a manager who “fits the DNA of the football club”.

It’s not just United’s problem, with former Liverpool striker John Aldridge reacting to the 0-0 draw against Leeds United by posting on X: “We seem to have lost our DNA. No real drive, desire and lack of ideas.”

When problems occur, the DNA call requires a return to what the club knows best, what it stands for, and what has achieved its greatest successes.

This may explain why Manchester United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his colleagues looked to figures with a rich history at Old Trafford as they sought a caretaker manager.

Darren Fletcher took charge of Burnley on Wednesday, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – who was sacked in 2021 – and Michael Carrick are also in the picture.

Fletcher and Carrick have won 10 Premier League titles between them. Solskjaer won six, and also scored one of the most famous goals in United’s history to win the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich in Barcelona.

Fletcher even felt the need to get Sir Alex Ferguson’s ‘blessing’ to take over temporarily, such is the 84-year-old’s continuing influence.

As a reminder, Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League titles, and a domestic league and FA Cup double.

But is there still a need to get his “blessing” 13 years after his retirement? Will doing so revive United’s quest to restore their lost ‘DNA’?

“The thing about Manchester United is that it’s not just another club. They’ve been through it,” former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 Live. [Jose] mourinho, [Louis] Van Gaal… big-name coaches and it didn’t work out.

“They have come, knowing this is a short period of time, and they have brought their own systems, which will only work if you play the Manchester United way.

“The club has to think very long and hard about who fits the bill. We have heard names like [Thomas] Tuchel, [Julian] Nagelsmann, Xavi, [Zinedine] Zidane, all the big names, but do they understand Manchester United?

So does the club’s “DNA” already exist or is the idea irrelevant? Does it matter that the manager must ‘acquire’ the club through the previous association?