Neville: Sometimes managers need sacking for their own good

Gary Neville said managers sometimes need sacking "for their own good" while reflecting on Manchester United's decision to keep head coach Michael Carrick in post after a 3-0 Premier League home defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday.

Manchester United sit 16th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone, and Carrick — widely expected to be dismissed after the Bournemouth loss — has been retained with the club giving him an opportunity to try to turn the season around.

Commenting on the club's handling of the situation on the Stick to Football podcast, Neville said: "I reckon what's happened in the 24 hours after Bournemouth is that they've literally debated it back and forth," adding: "I don't know this, but they've debated it to the point where they've got themselves into a muddle, and thought, 'we'll just stay with him'."

Neville linked the decision to wider shortcomings at the club and said: "I think staying with him is a result of the lack of planning, the lack of probably available options, the lack of decision-making around the two people that probably are available. That's when you're really struggling." He also said: "Sometimes a manager needs sacking for their own good. I needed sacking at Valencia. I was happy that they put me out of my misery."

Carrick's position was already precarious after captain Bruno Fernandes publicly questioned tactics following a 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como; Fernandes was dropped for the Bournemouth match and he and Carrick have since held talks to clear the air. Neville said: "We've all been in football dressing rooms, and they're quite brutal places," and added: "If Bruno Fernandes, the captain of the club... if he comes out and questions the manager's tactics after a 4-1 defeat in Como, where he's played like a drain, and he's been playing like a drain for three months, and the rest of them have as well, that is only 1 or 2% of what they're actually saying internally."

Supporters sang Carrick's name as he applauded the crowd after the Bournemouth defeat — an occasion Neville described as "effectively a farewell lap" — and then booed the players as Carrick went down the tunnel.

It is understood United's hierarchy have explored replacing Carrick, with ex-Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and former Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann under consideration; for now the former Manchester United midfielder remains responsible for preparing the squad.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: "I think he can never say publicly, but I think Michael Carrick would want to be put out of his misery. I really do." Carragher added: "The thought of going into that training ground now... and trying to do that team talk before Chelsea, when you know the players just aren't having it at all. Those players know Michael Carrick's not going to be there in two or three weeks. He knows it, they know it, everybody knows it." Roy Keane said: "He needs the players more than they need him. That's football in a nutshell. The players know he's gone, but these are the same players who got him the job last year. So they're running the show."

Carrick will lead Manchester United into Saturday's Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge, with home matches against Roma and Aston Villa scheduled to follow before November's international break.