Conte dismisses reports of Man United takeover with Carrick’s job uncertain

Former Chelsea and Napoli coach Antonio Conte remarked he was not in advanced negotiations to replace Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, and called reports that he had demanded full control at the club "unfounded".

Key points

• United sit 13th in the Premier League and 20th in the Champions League standings after Wednesday's humiliating 4-1 thrashing by Italian side Como, increasing scrutiny on Carrick.
• It additionally includes coming from 2-0 down to beat United 3-2 at Old Trafford in the League Cup last month, Hurzeler believes his side can still improve.
• Brighton's scoring streak concluded in a 0-0 draw at Czech side Jablonec in the Europa League on Thursday.
• Brighton and Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler, another name linked with the United job, additionally distanced himself from the speculation on Friday.
• The Seagulls sit third in the table, behind only Manchester City and champions Arsenal, before Sunday's trip to Liverpool.

Conte, who won the Premier League with Chelsea and additionally managed Tottenham Hotspur in England, was responding to speculation that he had requested full control while additionally making financial demands of the struggling Old Trafford club.

"My name has been linked with numerous clubs, but there are currently no negotiations at an advanced stage, " Conte remarked in an official note.

"Following a wonderful and successful spell in charge of Napoli, I will take the time I need to consider how and when to return to management, " he continued, referring to his time in Naples where he won Serie A in the 2024-25 season.

It will be a carefully considered decision, one I will create when I believe the conditions are right.

As well as reservations concerning what has been described as my 'solid personality', I have read reports of financial demands and requests for full control that I have supposedly already created to the clubs mentioned.

"These reports are unfounded, as there is currently no concrete basis for such assessments." Conte only interest in concrete opportunity with Man United.

Conte, who last coached Napoli in the 2025-26 season, remarked that if a concrete opportunity arose, he would enter negotiations with the club involved and "jointly consider the terms of a potential agreement", taking into account the needs of both parties.

"Until then, any assumptions about my demands and my professional future remain speculation and cannot be treated as fact, " the 57-year-old Italian continued.

In an interview with The Athletic earlier this month, Conte remarked he would like to manage a club that has "lost sight of their history" so he can assist "make it shine once more".

Defeat against Como extended United's winless run to seven games in all competitions, and skipper Bruno Fernandes remarked his team had adopted a "mood of defeat" while additionally questioning the tactics, with Carrick apologising for the performance. Hurzeler 'focused' on Brighton job despite Man Utd links.

For context, the 33-year-old, England's youngest top-flight manager, remarked he was focused solely on Brighton. This person sit third in the Premier League after a string of impressive performances.

"I have no time to think about these rumours because we play every three days and, beside that, I have a lot of respect for Michael Carrick and what he has done with Manchester United the last season, " Hurzeler informed a news conference.

"He's a great human being, a great personality. There's nothing more to say regarding that."

Brighton's free-scoring start to the Premier League season has seen Hurzeler touted as a feasible successor should United produce a mid-season managerial change for the third consecutive campaign.

For context, the Seagulls sit third in the table, behind only Manchester City and champions Arsenal, before Sunday's trip to Liverpool.

"I am really focused on my job here. I have no time to think regarding these rumours as we play every three days, " noted the 33-year-old German.

Despite an excellent start to the campaign. It additionally includes coming from 2-0 down to beat United 3-2 at Old Trafford in the League Cup last month, Hurzeler believes his side can still improve.

"There is still improvements we can do, still a lot of potential to get out of the players, and therefore I really want to work on that together with my players, together with my staff, " he remarked.

I have great experts around me. I have a great group of players who backing me. This person provide everything for this club, and we built this over the last years.

"We had tough periods, we have good periods, but I think to build these kind of relationships, you need time, you need connections, and you don't take these things for granted."

For now, conte dismisses reports of Man United takeover with Carrick's job uncertain remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.