Former Watford and England goalkeeper Ben Foster has suggested that Andoni Iraola, the current Bournemouth boss, could be the ideal man to take over at Old Trafford if Ruben Amorim’s reign comes to an end.

Manchester United’s poor form has placed Amorim under intense scrutiny despite a heavy summer investment of over £170 million on players such as Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Senne Lammens, and Diego Leon. With the team languishing and fans growing restless, speculation over who could succeed Amorim has intensified.

Speaking on The Cycling GK Podcast, Foster praised Iraola’s ability to thrive under difficult circumstances.

“Iraola is the one for me. To lose half your squad, half your starting line-up, and then still be just as impressive, for me, that means you’re a proper coach,” Foster said.

He also acknowledged the financial complications of such a move, noting that both Iraola and other linked candidates like Oliver Glasner would command huge wages and potential compensation packages. Foster, however, believes Iraola represents the fresh tactical identity United desperately need.

Interestingly, Foster also floated the idea of Gareth Southgate as a wildcard option, noting that United’s repeated attempts to find a “proven” club manager since Sir Alex Ferguson have consistently fallen short.

“With how hard it is to play for Manchester United, with the pressure involved and pulling that shirt on, it just doesn’t seem to work. So I think sometimes you might need a bit of a different approach.”

Opinion

Ben Foster’s assessment of Manchester United’s managerial merry-go-round captures the frustration many fans feel. Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, United have cycled through David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Erik ten Hag, and now Amorim — yet stability remains elusive.

Iraola stands out not just for his tactical sharpness but also for his resilience. His ability to maximize limited resources at Bournemouth is exactly the kind of grit United need. After all, Old Trafford’s problem has never been money — it’s been mentality, structure, and consistency.

Would Southgate be a gamble? Certainly. But Foster is right about one thing: what United have tried in the past decade hasn’t worked. Sometimes breaking the mold is the only way forward.

Ultimately, the question is whether United want a safe pair of hands, like Glasner or Southgate, or a progressive tactician like Iraola who could reshape their identity. One thing is certain — the next decision could define whether United remain in the wilderness or finally begin to rise again.