“Enormous risk” – Manager warned about Manchester United job by man who once hired him

German legend Oliver Kahn has warned Julian Nagelsmann against rushing to take the Manchester United job, should it become available.

Pressure is currently growing on Manchester United manager Michael Carrick following a dismal start to the season.

That continued this week with a 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League. That defeat extended Manchester United’s winless run to seven games in all competitions.

They have also endured their worst start to a league season since 1986. The Red Devils currently sit 13^th in the table with just a single victory from their opening seven games.

Frustrations are building as a result. Captain Bruno Fernandes publicly questioned the management’s tactical set up in the wake of the defeat to Como following a second straight defensive collapse in Europe.

That followed defender Lisandro Martinez publicly questioning Jason Wilcox last week.

Manager links

Several high-profile managers have already been linked with the job as a result. Reports in Italy insisted that Antonio Conte was already in discussions. He has since denied any advanced talks taking place with any club.

Then there is Nagelsmann. He remains out of work after leaving Germany following their disappointment at the World Cup. He is unlikely to remain without a job for too long given his record and experience.

One such experience was at Bayern Munich, where Kahn was one of the men key to hiring him. And he would advise his former appointment from jumping to Manchester United without giving it due care and consideration.

“From his perspective, it’s not an easy situation,” MOPO report him saying.

“He doesn’t exactly have a wealth of experience, especially when it comes to teams abroad.

“What should my next step be? Does it have to be the perfect fit? Or am I taking on an enormous risk—like at Manchester United, where, essentially, every manager in recent years has eventually failed?”

Big choice

The choice is certainly an interesting one for Nagelsmann given what’s happened in recent years.

His stock was once very high, but unsuccessful spells at Bayern and Germany have diminished that considerably. Questions are certainly being raised about whether the 39-year-old is the top manager many perceived him to be.

Taking on a big job like Manchester United, especially in their current guise, would be a major risk. That would be the case even if he would be heavily backed by the likes of Christopher Vivell at Old Trafford.

And that appears to be what Kahn is pointing out. The Manchester United job is no longer simply an opportunity that you jump at, and ask questions about, later.