13 different managers in last 13 Chelsea–Manchester United derbies
The two clubs have produced 13 different head coaches across their last 13 official meetings, reflecting persistent turnover on both touchlines.
Chelsea and Manchester United meet at Stamford Bridge this weekend under the unusual backdrop that the last 13 official derbies between the clubs have featured 13 different head coaches.
The sequence of managerial turnover began in October 2020, when United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Chelsea led by Frank Lampard drew 0-0 at Old Trafford. Since then both clubs have gone through a string of permanent and interim appointments that produced a near-constant reshuffle on the touchline.
How the run unfolded
Thomas Tuchel succeeded Lampard and first faced Solskjaer in London on 28 February 2021, another goalless draw. In November 2021 Michael Carrick served as United’s interim manager and recorded a 1-1 draw with Tuchel in the capital, while on 28 April 2022 United, then led by Ralf Rangnick on a temporary basis, also drew 1-1 at Old Trafford with the German.
The 2022–23 season brought further change: Graham Potter replaced Tuchel at Chelsea and Erik ten Hag took charge of United. Their meeting on 22 October 2022 finished 1-1; Potter would later be dismissed, with Lampard returning as interim. On 25 May 2023 United inflicted a heavy 4-1 defeat at the Theatre of Dreams.
Mauricio Pochettino was appointed by Chelsea for 2023/24. In his first match against ten Hag he lost 2-1 at Old Trafford, but Chelsea responded with a dramatic 4-3 victory at Stamford Bridge on 4 April 2024.
After ten Hag’s era ended, Ruud van Nistelrooy took temporary charge of United and on 3 November 2024 drew 1-1 with Chelsea’s new manager Enzo Maresca. Ruben Amorim was soon appointed as United’s permanent manager: he lost 1-0 away in West London in May 2025 but won 2-1 at home in September 2025. Amorim’s spell was brief, however, and Michael Carrick returned as interim and recorded a 1-0 away win over Chelsea — then led by Liam Rosenior. Carrick has since been given a permanent contract and will go up against Xabi Alonso this weekend.
Both managers face pressure: Carrick’s position “is seriously shaken after Manchester United’s weakest start in the league in the last four decades.” Alonso has also struggled, “having won only half of the first eight Premier League matches and conceded three defeats.” The derby therefore arrives as more than just another Premier League fixture — it is a test of stability for two topside clubs that have repeatedly changed coaches.
Photo: press material from the event
