Next Man United Manager Odds: Eddie Howe Leads the Race
Eddie Howe is 4/6 to be Man United manager on 1 January 2027, with Julian Nagelsmann 5/2 and Antonio Conte 7/1, in bet365 prices dated 26 October 2026. Odds are subject to change.
Eddie Howe is the 4/6 favourite to be Manchester United F.C. manager on 1 January 2027, according to the bet365 prices dated 26 October 2026. Julian Nagelsmann is next at 5/2 and Antonio Conte is 7/1. Michael Carrick is still in post as of 26 October, though talks over his future are continuing.
United lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth on 25 October, their eighth match without a win, and sit just above the Premier League relegation zone. No permanent appointment has been confirmed. At BCP, the prices below are dated 26 October 2026, the day after that defeat.
Manchester United F.C. Manager Odds for 1 January 2027
The market is To be Man United Manager on 01/01/2027, and Howe heads the 26 October 2026 prices at 4/6.
| Candidate | Price (fractional) | Implied probability |
|---|---|---|
| Eddie Howe | 4/6 | 60.0% |
| Julian Nagelsmann | 5/2 | 28.6% |
| Antonio Conte | 7/1 | 12.5% |
| Kieran McKenna | 9/1 | 10.0% |
| Unai Emery | 10/1 | 9.1% |
| Michael Carrick | 12/1 | 7.7% |
| Gareth Southgate | 20/1 | 4.8% |
| Darren Fletcher | 25/1 | 3.8% |
| Fabian Hurzeler | 25/1 | 3.8% |
| Ruud van Nistelrooy | 33/1 | 2.9% |
| Cesc Fabregas | 40/1 | 2.4% |
| Thomas Frank | 40/1 | 2.4% |
| Keith Andrews | 50/1 | 2.0% |
| Mauricio Pochettino | 50/1 | 2.0% |
| Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | 50/1 | 2.0% |
Eddie Howe Is the Odds-On Favourite
At 4/6, Eddie Howe is the odds-on favourite, which implies about 60% before the bookmaker’s margin. The Guardian reports that director of football Jason Wilcox sees Howe as his preferred candidate and that Howe would seriously consider the job if offered. He left Newcastle in late July to take a break from the game, so he’s free to move, and Sky Sports says no compensation would be needed.
That’s a short price for a post that isn’t yet vacant: backing Howe needs United to sack Carrick and land their man by 1 January, and you’d win only 4 for every 6 staked. The date matters as much as the name, because bet365’s rules for To be Manager say that markets settle bets on whoever is in charge of first-team duties that day, caretaker and interim managers included. United have been there before: Darren Fletcher took charge on an interim basis after Ruben Amorim was sacked in January.
Nagelsmann and Conte Lead the Chasing Pack
Julian Nagelsmann is next at 5/2. Sky Sports reports that head of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who worked with him at RB Leipzig, is the man pushing his case. Nagelsmann has been out of work since he stepped down as Germany head coach after the World Cup exit to Paraguay in the round of 32. Sky names him and Howe as the two frontrunners.
Antonio Conte is 7/1. The Guardian says he’s understood to be open to the job, and on Friday 23 October he put out a statement saying that if a concrete opportunity arises, that will be the time to hold discussions with the club concerned. A Premier League title with Chelsea is on his CV, and The Independent suggests his intensity would appeal after a start to the season that is United’s worst in 40 years.
Emery, McKenna and Carrick in the Middle
Kieran McKenna is 9/1 and Unai Emery is 10/1. Emery looks the harder one to land: Sky Sports says he remains committed to Aston Villa, and The Independent notes his contract runs to 2029, so United would have to pay compensation.
Then comes Michael Carrick himself at 12/1, which implies about 8% before the bookmaker’s margin that he’s still in charge on New Year’s Day. As of 26 October 2026 he’s still in post and the club hasn’t announced a change, but BBC Sport reports that talks on his position are continuing. It’s a long way from the third-place finish under Carrick that we covered in our 2026/27 Premier League preview.
The Outsiders: Southgate, Fletcher and the Rest
Further down the list sit Gareth Southgate at 20/1, Darren Fletcher and Fabian Hurzeler at 25/1, and Ruud van Nistelrooy at 33/1. Cesc Fabregas and Thomas Frank are 40/1, with Keith Andrews, Mauricio Pochettino and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all 50/1. Fabregas is Como’s head coach, and his side beat United 4-1 in the Champions League on 21 October.
Whoever does take the job will find out quickly how hard it is to run a Premier League side, a theme we explored in is managing a Premier League side almost impossible. For another manager market with a runaway favourite, see our Real Madrid next manager odds.
Verdict: Howe Is Short for a Reason
The reporting backs the market. Howe is Wilcox’s preferred choice, he’s available and he’s willing to talk, which explains the 4/6. The price leaves little room, though, and the real question is whether United move before the new year at all. If they do, Nagelsmann at 5/2 is the logical alternative given Vivell’s backing.
Added together, the implied chances of every name on the list come to around 154%, which shows how much margin sits in an outright market like this.
Next Man United Manager FAQs
Who is the favourite to be the next Man United manager?
Eddie Howe is the 4/6 favourite to be Man United manager on 1 January 2027 in bet365 prices dated 26 October 2026, which implies about 60% before the bookmaker’s margin. Julian Nagelsmann is next at 5/2 and Antonio Conte is 7/1.
Is Michael Carrick still the Man United manager?
As of 26 October 2026, yes. United lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth on 25 October, their eighth match without a win, and BBC Sport reports that talks on Carrick’s position are continuing. No club announcement had been made on 26 October.
What happens to the bet if an interim manager is in charge on 1 January 2027?
Under bet365’s rules for To be Manager on (Specified Date) markets, bets settle on whoever is in charge of first-team duties on that date, caretaker and interim managers included. The separate Next Permanent Manager market excludes them. Check the rules on the market itself before you bet.
Who else is in the running to replace Carrick?
As of 26 October 2026, Sky Sports names Julian Nagelsmann and Eddie Howe as the two frontrunners, with Nagelsmann backed by head of recruitment Christopher Vivell. Antonio Conte says he’ll talk if a concrete opportunity arises, while Unai Emery remains committed to Aston Villa.
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Sources: The Guardian, Sky Sports, The Independent, BBC Sport, UEFA.com.
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