When Manchester United dismissed Erik ten Hag last October after just three wins from their opening nine league matches, the club wasted little time in lining up his successor. Ruben Amorim was swiftly appointed following a recommendation from CEO Omar Berrada, but the decision is still under scrutiny almost a year later.
That’s because one of the other candidates on United’s radar, Edin Terzic, has now been championed by club legend Nicky Butt as one of the best managers he has ever worked alongside. Terzic, who led Borussia Dortmund to a Champions League final before stepping down last summer, was a free agent when United were searching for a new boss. Despite his availability and glowing reputation, the Old Trafford hierarchy chose a different path.
Terzic, who also has Premier League experience from his time as Slaven Bilic’s assistant at West Ham, had been open to the job. Instead, he was overlooked in favour of Amorim, whose tenure has failed to deliver the revival fans hoped for. Butt’s verdict suggests that may have been a missed opportunity.
Nicky Butt praises Terzic
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt recalled being hugely impressed by Terzic during their UEFA Pro Licence course.
“Graham Potter, Edin Terzic, it’s me and another guy. Those two were by far the best on the course. They were unbelievable. Certainly Edin had that analytical way of coaching. They were both phenomenal. I remember watching Dortmund in the Champions League semi-final, and you could see exactly why.” — Nicky Butt
Butt highlighted Terzic’s analytical approach and tactical intelligence, qualities he feels set the German apart. His comments echo those of former England goalkeeper David James, who once compared Terzic to Jurgen Klopp and urged Liverpool to consider him as a future head coach candidate.
Edin Terzic’s managerial record
At Dortmund, Terzic secured 75 wins in 128 matches, losing just 29, while guiding the team to a Champions League final. His preferred 4-3-3 system – one well liked by United supporters – helped his side score 267 goals while conceding 153.
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | Points | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 128 | 75 | 24 | 29 | 267:153 | 249 | 1.95 |
source: Borussia Dortmund records – 6 October 2025
By contrast, Amorim’s early tenure at United has produced inconsistent results, and his points-per-game record pales against Terzic’s.
Analyst verdict: Did United miss a trick?
FootballPlace analyst John William argues United may regret their decision:
“Edin Terzic is a modern, dynamic coach who has already proven he can compete at the highest level. Nicky Butt’s endorsement only reinforces the view that United overlooked a top-class candidate. Amorim came with promise, but the difference in pedigree and record is stark.”
Key insights
- Nicky Butt called Edin Terzic “phenomenal” and one of the best he’s worked with.
- Terzic led Dortmund to a Champions League final before stepping down in 2024.
- United chose Ruben Amorim instead, based on CEO Omar Berrada’s recommendation.
- Terzic’s points-per-game record (1.95) surpasses Amorim’s United return.
- Former England keeper David James also compared Terzic to Jurgen Klopp.
What’s next for United and Terzic?
With Amorim still under pressure at Old Trafford, questions remain about whether United acted too hastily in overlooking Terzic. The German coach is currently without a club and continues to be linked with top-level vacancies across Europe.
For United, the debate underscores the challenges of succession planning. If Amorim fails to deliver stability, the decision to pass over Terzic could look like a significant miscalculation.
👉 Should Manchester United have gone for Edin Terzic instead of Ruben Amorim?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 7 Oct 2025 20:44
Ruben was phenomenal as well at Sporting. And didnt Terzic lost the championship in his last game?
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