Three games, three wins. Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham have fallen victim to Carrick’s rejuvenated Manchester United side. Where does he rank among the (temporary) greats?
10) Stuart Pearce (Manchester City)
Stuart Pearce, known as Psycho in his playing days, will forever be remembered for his decision to play David James – a goalkeeper – as a makeshift striker against Middlesbrough.
The keeper-turned-striker helped City to win a late penalty, but Mark Schwarzer saved Robbie Fowler’s effort, costing Manchester City a place in Europe, and Pearce further up in the interim history books.
9) Cevat Güler (Galatasaray)
Güler had been the number two at Galatasary, but the resignation of Karl Heinz Feldcamp presented him an opportunity, one he grasped with both hands. The Turkish coach took charge of six games, winning all six on the way to securing the league title.
What makes Güler’s stint as interim manager all the more impressive is that when he did finally land two roles as a manager (at Ravan Baku and Orduspor), he failed to win a single game.
8) Jupp Heynckes (Bayern Munich)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time, Heynckes enjoyed four separate spells as Bayern Munich manager.
Having first taken charge in the 1980s, Bayern persuaded Heynckes to take the reins until the end of the season following the sacking of compatriot Jürgen Klinsmann. When he took over, Bayern looked in danger of missing out on Europe, but the legendary German was able to steer the Bavarians to second place with four wins and a draw.
He left to manage Bayer Leverkusen, before returning to lead Bayern Munich on two further occasions.
7) Kenny Dalglish (Liverpool)
The return of a fans’ favourite has often been a recipe for short term success. There’s no greater love affair than that of Dalglish and the Liverpool faithful, having lit up Anfield first as a player and then as manager during an illustrious career.
When Roy Hodgson was sacked, morale was at an all time low in the red half of Merseyside. The return of King Kenny rejuvenated the fans, even though results didn’t immediately follow. His signing of Luis Suárez in January 2011 was pivotal in the revival that was to come.
6) Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
Carrick was first named as interim manager of Manchester United following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho in 2018, before returning to the role in 2021 following Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s departure. The club once again turned to their former midfielder after Ruben Amorim, and not even the most optimistic of United fans would have expected what was to come.
Not only have they won three in a row, they’ve won convincingly against title-challengers Arsenal and Manchester City.
Should Carrick lead them to silverware this season, expect to see him shoot up this list.
5) Rafa Benitez (Chelsea)
Benítez stepped in mid-season after Roberto Di Matteo’s sacking and delivered immediate results, including a Europa League triumph.
Despite a mixed reception from fans given his Liverpool connections, Benitez’s tactical discipline and ability to steady the squad in a turbulent period made his short-term spell one of the most effective in recent memory.
4) Ole Gunnar Solskjær (Manchester United)
Solskjær’s initial interim spell at United in 2018/19 saw a remarkable run of 14 wins in 19 matches, including the famous Champions League comeback against PSG.
His ability to restore belief and connection with the fans earned him the permanent role, although he was never able to fully replicate the highs of the interim period.
3) Guus Hiddink (Chelsea)
Hiddink’s 2009 spell at Chelsea rescued a struggling team mid-season. He restored confidence, delivered an FA Cup, and stabilised the club during a tumultuous period.
Known for his calm authority and tactical adaptability, Hiddink’s tenure remains a blueprint for how an interim manager can turn a club’s fortunes around in the short term.
2) Hansi Flick (Bayern Munich)
Flick inherited Bayern Munich in November 2019 after Niko Kovač’s sacking. What followed was extraordinary; a treble-winning season that included the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League.
His interim spell became permanent, but his immediate tactical impact and ability to galvanise a world-class squad puts him firmly in second place of the greatest interim managers of all time.
1) Roberto Di Matteo (Chelsea)
No debate. He came, he saw, he conquered, he left. Di Matteo’s 2012 interim spell is legendary – he guided Chelsea to both the FA Cup and Champions League titles, a feat unmatched by any caretaker in history. Stepping into a crisis, he delivered immediate results on the biggest stages and forever secured his place in football folklore.
