Michael Carrick could be in high demand with West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United potential destinations.
The Baggies are in the market for a new replacement after sacking Ryan Mason on Tuesday morning, following their 10th consecutive away defeat at Leicester.
The former Middlesbrough boss is the favourite to take the reins at the Hawthorns in the next West Brom manager betting odds.
Carrick is also on the shortlist to become the Manchester United manager on an interim basis until the end of the season.
Club chiefs are looking to make a temporary appointment so they can cast a wider net of managerial targets in the summer.
Michael Carrick to West Brom or Manchester United?
Carrick may have to weigh up his options as he moves a step closer to a return in the dugout.
The 44-year-old has been without work since June after he was sacked at Middlesbrough following a 10th-place finish in his third season in charge.
Carrick’s managerial stock rose during his first season when he took the club from 21st in the Championship to the play-offs.
Their hopes of Premier League promotion were dented by Coventry in the semi-finals, but he couldn’t replicate their success in the following campaign with an eighth-place finish.
While they underperformed in the league, Carrick did guide Boro to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup for the first time since 2004.
Carrick would be a tempting appointment for West Brom, given his Championship experience and history of guiding a club of similar stature to the play-offs.
His style of play, which includes a possession-based style and building from the back, would also match the Baggies’ philosophy.
United would consider Carrick a safe pair of hands on an interim basis, given his previous experience both as a player and coach at the club.
He made over 450 appearances for the Red Devils and immediately joined Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff at the club following his retirement.
Carrick remained at United following his sacking and worked alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. When the Norwegian was axed, he was named caretaker manager and won two of his three games in charge, including a victory over Arsenal.
It’s unclear whether Carrick would take the role at this stage, but he may need to decide whether to take the long-term stability at West Brom, where he can begin his own project or return to the lure of his former club.
West Ham may look at Michael Carrick
Another possibility in the coming weeks could be relegation-threatened West Ham.
He is one of the names in the running for the next West Ham manager should they decide to sack Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Portuguese boss could face the axe if they lose against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.
Nuno has won just two of his 15 matches in charge, and the stats show they have regressed since he replaced Graham Potter at the end of September.
Carrick came through the ranks at West Ham as a youth player before his transfer to Tottenham in 2004.
Former boss Slaven Bilic is the current favourite for a short-term deal until the end of the season.
