Rumour: Carlo Ancelotti tops Manchester United manager shortlist; Sir Alex Ferguson to be consulted

By now, everyone is acutely aware of the fact that David Moyes has been sacked by Manchester United. The news, tweets, memes and reactions have been flooding in all day and one could be forgiven for wanting to change the channel when Newsnight decided to make it their lead story tonight. That’s right, Newsnight.

But there are sensational details to add to the narrative, chiefly coming from the Daily Telegraph. Sir Alex Ferguson will be consulted on the identity of the future The three man shortlist put forward by the Telegraph features Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti firmly at the top of a list which also features the hotly-tipped Holland coach Louis van Gaal and Atletico Madrid sensation Diego Simeone.

Most rumours this morning seem to revolve around Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp but both managers moved swiftly to deny the rumours leaving many convinced that the vastly experienced Louis van Gaal is a shoe-in for the role.

The news, therefore, that Carlo Ancelotti is being considered for the role at Old Trafford has come slightly out of left-field. Indubitably, the Italian has struggled at times to settle as comfortably at the Bernabeu as he did so pleasantly in the dug-outs of various high-profile Italian sides but he has enjoyed a successful opening season as Los Blancos have already won the Copa Del Rey, remain very present in the La Liga title race and, crucially for club president Florentino Perez, they are just three games away from “La Decima”: a tenth European Cup.

Dutchman van Gaal will remain a favourite to many, seen as a solid interim choice who doesn’t suffer from the same language barrier as the typically Italian Ancelotti and the Argentinian Simeone; although the Telegraph piece does suggest that the language barrier won’t affect the decision-making of a club which is desperate to forget what has been an oft calamitous season.

Obviously, no decision needs to be made in the immediate future. Ryan Giggs has taken on the mantle of interim coach and will garner valuable coaching experience. With the Red Devils effectively having nothing to play for, it is an opportunity for the Welshman to try out something a little different with a weary squad.

Van Gaal cannot be appointed until after Holland’s World Cup campaign whereas Ancelotti and Simeone could theoretically come in just before to set up their scouting networks. What is for sure is that whoever takes charge of the club has a big job ahead of them.

As a player and manager, Carlo Ancelotti has won the following major honours:

Serie A (4), Coppa Italia (5), Supercoppa Italia (2), Premier League (1), Ligue 1 (1), European Cup/Champions League (4), FA Cup (1), FIFA Club World Cup (1), UEFA Super Cup (4), FA Community Shield (1), Intercontinental Cup (2), Copy del Rey (1).