Fabian Hurzeler Distances Himself From Man Utd Job as Conte Pushes Back

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Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler says he is “really focused” on his job after being touted as a successor to Michael Carrick at Manchester United.
Antonio Conte says there are “no negotiations at an advanced stage” with any club and calls reports of his demands “unfounded”.
BBC Sport sources say United have begun identifying replacements, with Eddie Howe, Conte and Julian Nagelsmann understood to have their eyes on the job.

Two Names, Two Denials

Two of the managers linked with Manchester United’s job have both responded. Antonio Conte wrote on Instagram that “there are currently no negotiations at an advanced stage”. Fabian Hurzeler said he has “no time to think about these rumours”.

The comments followed a report in Italian newspaper La Repubblica on Thursday. It claimed Conte had held talks with United’s board about replacing Michael Carrick after Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League defeat by Cesc Fabregas’ Como. The paper said the former Chelsea manager had demanded full control of United’s transfer policy and stated his intention to appoint his own staff at Old Trafford.

What Conte Said

Conte did not accept the account. “My name has been linked with numerous clubs, but there are currently no negotiations at an advanced stage,” he wrote. He said he had read reports about “financial demands and requests for full control” and about reservations over his “strong personality”. His verdict was short: “These reports are unfounded.”

He did not close the door. If a concrete opportunity came, Conte wrote, “that will be the time to hold discussions with the club concerned”. BBC Sport understands he is keen on the job all the same.

Conte is 57 and a free agent after leaving Napoli at the end of last season. He won Serie A in his first season in Naples and the Supercoppa Italiana in his last. In England he won the Premier League with Chelsea in 2016-17 and beat United in the FA Cup final the following year. He returned in 2021 to replace Jose Mourinho at Tottenham Hotspur, but his time in north London lasted 16 months. He left in March 2023 after criticising “selfish” players and the club’s culture in a remarkable news conference.

Hurzeler Stays Put

Hurzeler has been touted as a possible successor to Carrick as his free-scoring Brighton side sit third in the Premier League. The German has a contract with the club until 2029 and says he is happy there.

“I am really focused on my job here. I have no time to think about these rumours,” Hurzeler said. He had warm words for the man he could be asked to replace. “I have a lot of respect for Michael Carrick. He is a great human being, he is a great personality. Every time we meet each other, we have a really good relationship.”

Carrick Stays for Now

Carrick’s future is uncertain after the heavy defeat in Italy, which left United without a win in seven games. He is set to remain in charge for Sunday’s Premier League match against Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Sources have told BBC Sport that United have started the process of identifying possible replacements, and that Howe, Conte and Nagelsmann are all understood to have their eyes on the job.

Howe is the former Newcastle boss, and Nagelsmann is the ex-Germany manager. Conte has denied the detail of the La Repubblica report, while BBC Sport understands his interest in the role is real.

WRITTEN BY

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the Founder of Futbol Chronicle and an accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every match report, player profile, and tactical analysis he writes.