From Scholes to Van Persie - 10 Manchester United Legends Who Failed Terribly as Managers

The pressure of stepping into the managerial hot seat is immense, and not all of these iconic figures have been able to replicate their success from the playing days.

From relegations to disappointing stints, here’s a look at some of the Manchester United greats who struggled in the managerial world, and why their transitions didn’t go as planned.

Van Nistelrooy is currently managing Leicester City after their promotion, but things haven’t been going smoothly.

While it's still early in his managerial journey, early results suggest he may struggle to live up to the high expectations set for him

As a United legend, fans hope he can prove them wrong, but his early managerial tenure has been far from promising.

Phil Neville, like his brother Gary, also tried his hand at management. He managed the England women’s team and later took over at Inter Miami.

However, his time at Inter Miami was underwhelming, with the team languishing near the bottom of the conference when he left, raising questions about his managerial capabilities.

Steve Bruce has managed numerous clubs, including some in the Premier League, but has never been able to replicate the success he enjoyed as a player.

Despite his experience, he has faced repeated sackings, and his managerial career has largely been forgettable compared to his playing days.

Roy Keane managed Sunderland and Ipswich Town during his managerial career, but his time at both clubs ended disappointingly.

Although he led Sunderland to promotion, he was sacked after they were relegated the following season.

At Ipswich, Keane’s tenure was marked by underperformance, with his peculiar comment on the club's blue kit color becoming part of his managerial legacy.

Paul Scholes had a very short managerial career, managing Oldham Athletic for just 31 days before resigning.

His departure was due to ongoing disagreements with the club's ownership, and his brief tenure left little to show for his time in charge.

Despite his legendary status at United, Scholes' managerial skills didn’t seem to live up to his playing ability.

Giggs had a brief spell as Manchester United’s interim manager before moving on to manage Wales.

His time in charge of Wales was marred by allegations of misconduct, which led to his departure.

His career as a manager has been overshadowed by controversy, casting doubt on his managerial potential after a stellar playing career.

Gary Neville’s short-lived managerial stint at Valencia is a cautionary tale. Appointed in 2015, Neville lasted just under four months, winning only three of his 16 league games.

His failure to adapt to a top-level coaching role highlighted the immense challenges that come with stepping into management, even for a player of his pedigree.

Solskjaer was a beloved United legend, and while he brought stability to Manchester United after a turbulent period, he fell short in key areas.

Despite guiding United to a second-place finish in the Premier League and qualifying for European competitions, his lack of consistency and failure to secure any silverware ultimately led to his sacking.

His managerial career has been a bittersweet reminder that even legendary players can struggle to find lasting success in management.

Wayne Rooney’s managerial career has been marked by struggles, with two relegations under his belt.

Having managed Derby County, DC United, Plymouth, and Birmingham, Rooney’s tenure at these clubs ended poorly, often amid controversy or managerial exits.

His managerial record has been tarnished by his inability to keep teams from slipping into relegation, raising questions about his ability to replicate his playing career success in management.

Van Persie has struggled as SC Heerenveen's manager due to tactical inexperience, poor decision-making, and inconsistent performances.

His side’s shocking cup exit to an amateur team and a bizarre incident where the opposition played with 12 men have raised concerns about his managerial abilities.

The low point came with a humiliating 9-1 loss to AZ Alkmaar, highlighting his team's defensive frailties. Despite his legendary playing career, his transition to coaching has been rough so far.