Andoni Iraola (foto: Getty Images)
Several elite managers will be out of contract in summer 2026, with Manchester United expected to monitor a competitive market for top coaching talent.
As contracts begin to expire not only for players but also for coaches, the summer of 2026 is shaping up to be a key moment on the managerial market. Several high-profile names could become available, and with Manchester United expected to review their long-term plans, this is a list that will not go unnoticed—especially with Benjamin Šeško potentially needing stability on the touchline.
The six managers most frequently linked with possible moves are Thomas Tuchel, Ernesto Valverde, Mauricio Pochettino, Oliver Glasner, Marco Silva, and Andoni Iraola.
Thomas Tuchel (England)
The current England head coach faces a defining period with the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. His future is expected to depend heavily on the national team’s performance at the tournament.
Tuchel is regularly mentioned as a potential candidate for Manchester United, a club he has long admired. He already has Premier League pedigree after a successful spell with Chelsea, including Champions League success.
Ernesto Valverde (Athletic Bilbao)
Could this finally be the moment for a new farewell? Valverde is in his third spell at Athletic Bilbao, having previously coached the club in 2003 and again between 2013 and 2017 before moving to Barcelona, where he won La Liga titles.
Back in Bilbao, he has now surpassed 300 matches in charge, but the current season has been underwhelming, with Athletic sitting eighth in La Liga. A change of scenery in 2026 remains a real possibility.
Mauricio Pochettino (United States)
Like Tuchel, Pochettino’s immediate future is tied to the 2026 World Cup, where he leads the United States. His reputation was built at Espanyol, Southampton and especially Tottenham, but his spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea failed to live up to expectations.
Interest still exists, but another unsuccessful club project could seriously damage his standing.
Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace)
How much credit does the Austrian still have? Glasner initially impressed at Crystal Palace, but the current campaign has turned bleak: nine matches without a win, including six defeats.
He has been repeatedly linked with Manchester United, yet results between now and summer 2026 will be crucial if he is to remain a serious candidate.
Marco Silva (Fulham)
Often described as the “most overlooked” manager in the Premier League, Silva has been on the radar of bigger clubs for years without landing a top job.
At Fulham, tensions reportedly exist over the club’s conservative transfer policy, and the 48-year-old is believed to be considering a move regardless of external interest.
Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth)
Not long ago one of the Premier League’s breakout coaching stars, Iraola has seen momentum stall. Bournemouth recently ended a poor run with a win over Tottenham, but still sit 15th in the table, far from their earlier European ambitions.
Like Glasner, Iraola’s reputation will depend heavily on how he stabilises results over the next year.