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Football Insider

Carlo Ancelotti: The Perfect Fit for Manchester United's Winning Culture Revival

As Manchester United search for a new permanent manager following Ruben Amorim's departure, there are calls for former Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti to bring back the winning culture at Old Trafford. Despite the club's struggles since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, Ancelotti's experience and pedigree make him a compelling candidate. Get insights on why Ancelotti could be the ideal leader for the Red Devils.

Carlo Ancelotti: The Perfect Fit for Manchester United's Winning Culture Revival

Manchester United have been urged to consider Carlo Ancelotti when identifying candidates to become the club’s next permanent manager. The Red Devils are back in the market for a new head coach after taking the decision to part with Ruben Amorim. A man who knows all about life at Old Trafford believes that current Brazil boss Ancelotti would return a “winning culture” to Premier League heavyweights.United have not really had that since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. The likes of Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Erik ten Hag have all overseen trophy triumphs, but a 14th Premier League crown has remained elusive.The Red Devils slipped to 15th in the English top-flight last season, which represents their lowest ebb in the modern era, while a 111-year low has been hit this term after failing to secure European qualification and tumbling out of both domestic cup competitions at the earliest opportunity.Amorim paid the price for inconsistency, and failing to change his ways when it came to a questionable tactical blueprint, while Darren Fletcher was unable to deliver an upturn in fortune during a two-game stint as caretaker coach. Reins have now been passed to Michael Carrick on an interim basis.United will make a permanent appointment in the summer, with the Red Devils already being linked with the likes of Oliver Glasner, Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate and Luis Enrique. Rene Meulensteen, who once worked alongside Ferguson at Old Trafford, believes an ex-Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan boss should be on the Red Devils’ radar.He has told Casinostugan: "Carlo Ancelotti is the guy with the type of pedigree who can handle it because he’s done it, he’s seen it and he knows what a winning culture looks like. I don’t think Ancelotti would listen to anybody else. Ancelotti would say this is what I’m doing. I’m managing what I’m here to do.“Football has changed. You’ve got Directors of Football now or Sporting Directors and Technical Directors who are there to safeguard the big picture of the whole football operation at a club and then you’ve got a Head Coach who should be working with the squad of players.“As a coach, you need to be very clear on that. That’s why Ruben Amorim ran into trouble. They obviously weren’t aligned. He had different ideas about how it should be run than the people in the background.”Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!While tipping Ancelotti to fill Amorim’s shoes in Manchester, Meulensteen is not convinced that the Premier League will see United’s former boss again any time soon. He added on what the future holds for 40-year-old Amorim: “It depends what he's looking for. I doubt there would be teams in the Premier League quick to jump at the opportunity to bring him in because of his record in the Premier League. Back in Portugal? Yes. I think there's obviously clubs that would look at him because he's won the league there and he’s better suited to it.“It almost becomes more and more difficult to sustain that sort of success. Look at Xabi Alonso. Look at what he did at Bayer Leverkusen. He goes to Real Madrid, everybody thought that it was a marriage made in heaven, and seven months on he’s gone. But that won’t tarnish Alonso to the same extent because of what he did in Germany. That speaks for itself.“For Amorim, it’s slightly different. He hasn’t got such a record behind him. But I’m sure he’ll be back in management somehow.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingUnited will be working with Carrick through to the end of the 2025-26 campaign. His first game at the helm will be a derby date with arch-rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.That testing encounter will be followed by a trip to Premier League leaders Arsenal, with the Red Devils facing a tough ask when it comes to making positive progress in an ongoing bid to reach the top four and secure Champions League qualification for 2026-27.

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Carlo Ancelotti: The Answer to United's Quest for Glory

With Manchester United currently in transition after parting ways with Ruben Amorim, the hunt for a new head coach has intensified. The suggestion of bringing in Carlo Ancelotti, the current Brazil national team manager, holds particular intrigue. Ancelotti boasts an impressive resume from his time at top European clubs such as Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. His track record of success and ability to instill a winning culture could be the missing ingredient that United have been seeking since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

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The Need for a Winning Culture at Old Trafford

United have faced a drought in major trophies since Ferguson's era, with managers like Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, and Erik Ten Hag falling short of securing the coveted Premier League title. Ancelotti's arrival could signal a shift in the club's fortunes, as he is well-versed in navigating high-pressure environments and delivering silverware. His proven leadership qualities and tactical acumen make him a strong candidate to revive United's glory days and restore the winning mentality that has eluded the club in recent years.

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Rene Meulensteen's Endorsement of Ancelotti for United

Renowned coach Rene Meulensteen advocates for Ancelotti as the ideal candidate to steer United back to success. Meulensteen highlights Ancelotti's unmatched pedigree and experience across top European leagues, emphasizing the Italian's ability to command respect and set a clear direction for the team. Meulensteen's endorsement underlines the belief that Ancelotti's appointment could mark a new era of achievement for the Red Devils, providing stability and vision in the managerial role.

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Ancelotti's Potential Impact on United's Future

As United contemplate their next permanent manager, the allure of Ancelotti lies in his ability to establish harmony between coaching staff and club management. Meulensteen stresses the importance of alignment within the organization, citing Amorim's struggles due to conflicting ideologies. Ancelotti's strong leadership and decisive approach could bridge this gap and create a cohesive environment conducive to sustained success. With the Brazilian's managerial acumen and global experience, United could be poised for a resurgence under his guidance.

Published on Jan 15, 2026