Former England boss touted as potential replacement for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United

Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham has publicly shared his doubts about Amorim’s future, suggesting the coach is close to being dismissed. Speaking to TEAMtalk with Coin Poker, Sheringham stressed that while he takes no pleasure in seeing managers sacked, he cannot ignore how poorly Amorim’s spell has gone.

He argued that United may need to find alternatives and pointed to Gareth Southgate as a figure who can restore order. Sheringham acknowledged that supporters remain divided on Southgate due to the cautious football that England played under him. However, Sheringham insisted that his ability to restructure the club could outweigh stylistic reservations.

The reports have even revealed that United have shortlisted three possible replacements for Amorim, and Sheringham’s words only add weight to the growing sense of uncertainty. He described United as a global institution, the traditional powerhouse of English football. Sheringham said that Southgate’s experience handling eight years of intense scrutiny with England makes him a realistic candidate for the role.

“He hasn’t lost his job yet, but Amorim has got to be tinkering close to an exit at United now. I never want to see managers lose their jobs because I know how insecure these jobs are, or insecure the job is, but it hasn’t really worked out for him and United could do a lot worse than getting Gareth Southgate to restructure the whole place…”

“I know that Manchester United fans didn’t want Gareth to come in after being the England manager for so long and the way his teams played, but for him to come in and steady the ship now and restructure the whole football club into how it should be, I think you could do a lot worse,” Sheringham added.

“They’ve had so many managers who have not understood the club, and they have tried to take the club in a different direction, in their own manner. Manchester United is a global club, but obviously, the kingpin of English football. I think Gareth Southgate would understand that, and he would take the club back to where it should be.

“After being the manager of England for eight years, he would understand the pressure that comes with that as well and I think he would be at an even better age now to take on that mantle.”

Could Southgate Be the Right Fit?

Southgate stepping into the Old Trafford dugout divides opinion, and we see both sides. On the one hand, Southgate left England with a record that we can not dismiss. He guided the national team to a World Cup semi-final and back-to-back European Championship finals, feats that seemed improbable before his tenure. He built a strong culture, instilled discipline, and gave younger players the confidence to perform at the highest stage. Southgate’s man-management earned admiration, and the togetherness within the England squad during his time contrasted sharply with the disjointed groups that represented the nation in the past.

Yet the criticisms carry weight, and they strike at the core of Manchester United’s identity. Supporters value attacking football, and Southgate’s caution in big matches, his reluctance to adjust formations when needed, and his failure to maximise a generational crop of attacking talent frustrated many.

His decision-making often appeared overly safe, and this reluctance to take risks fuelled doubts about whether he could inspire attacking football at club level. His limited background in club management is also a concern. Southgate has only Middlesbrough to his name, a far cry from the demands of a giant like United. Reports last year said he declined the United job, but now he seems more open. His leadership and calm authority appeal to the hierarchy. However, the tension between his pragmatic instincts and United’s tradition of flair keeps the debate alive, especially with Amorim’s position growing more precarious each week.