Manchester United are said to have made Thomas Tuchel their top choice to take over as manager this summer, with the German gaining strong backing from a former player and fresh accusations that Erik ten Hag will be fired.
The Red Devils have had a difficult season under the Dutchman, and the under-fire manager admitted on Saturday that his team will no longer finish in the top four this season. And, with four games remaining this season, Manchester United (54 points) might achieve their lowest-ever Premier League points total, which is now 58.
Storm clouds have been building over Ten Hag’s future for most of the season, with the former Ajax manager, who is now in the second year of an original three-year contract, looking to be leading the team backwards this season.
And, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe completing his £1.3 billion acquisition of 27.7% of the Glazers shares in February, rumours have emerged that the British billionaire is ready to put in his own man after the current campaign concludes.
Those claims only gained traction in the past week, when it was revealed that Ratcliffe had directed newly recruited technical director Jason Wilcox to do a full audit of Ten Hag before determining whether the club should stick or twist with the United boss.
However, with some concerning statistics surfacing from his rule, including 90 shots surrendered in three meetings against Liverpool this season, as well as the team’s newfound troubles with surrendering late goals, the indications are not encouraging.
And maybe the writing was on the wall this week, as United struggled to beat relegation-bound Sheffield United before drawing with another struggling team, Burnley.
Simply said, standards at Old Trafford have fallen, and few would blame Ratcliffe if he took action, with even FA Cup triumph unlikely to save the Dutchman.
According to Football Insider, the INEOS chairman has ‘decided to move on from Ten Hag this summer’, with club executives ‘doing their due homework behind the scenes on who may be their future manager.’
And, while Roberto De Zerbi and Gareth Southgate have admirers at Old Trafford this summer, appointing either manager comes with its own set of issues, with questions raised about De Zerbi’s temperament and Southgate unavailable until after England’s European Championship campaign concludes this summer.
That is not the situation for Tuchel, who will become a free agent after Bayern’s season ends. While they have lost the Bundesliga championship, they are now preparing for the Champions League semi-finals versus Real Madrid. Tuchel is a one-time champion and two-time finalist, having won the tournament with Chelsea and brought PSG within a hair of victory.
As a consequence, it seems unlikely that United would make a formal approach for the 50-year-old until their interest in the competition has faded. However, it is thought that they had expressed their interest in him with his people prior to any official notice being sent to Ten Hag.
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With Tuchel now emerging as the frontrunner to take over this summer, his qualities for the post have been highlighted by legendary former United custodian Peter Schmeichel, who feels the German would be a superb candidate to guide the Red Devils ahead.
“I like Thomas Tuchel. I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing him a few times, and his football knowledge is incredible,” Schmeichel told beIN SPORTS amid the rumours.
“He’s been a touch unfortunate to be at two huge football teams at the wrong point in their history, when things weren’t going well on all levels.
“It’s not that he performed poorly at Chelsea, for example. I mean, he won the Champions League, right?!
“I simply like him; there is something about him. He portrays a sense of authority.
“Never compare individuals, but he has the same qualities that [Jurgen] Klopp has. You know he’s the boss, and you understand what he’s doing.”
When asked whether he would choose Tuchel as Ten Hag’s successor, Schmeichel was more reserved.
“I am not going there!” There is no way. “I know it’s speculative…but I’m not!”
When pressed for a response by presenter Richard Keys, the Dane replied: “If Manchester United were looking for a manager, he should be mentioned. He should be.
“He has that sort of pedigree, he has the authority, and he’s demonstrated he can win, which I believe is quite essential.
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