Manchester United are reportedly considering Thomas Tuchel as a potential replacement for current manager Erik ten Hag.
United had expressed interest in Tuchel during the summer while evaluating alternatives to Ten Hag, and their interest has persisted, especially since Tuchel remains available following his departure from Bayern Munich at the end of last season.
While United are also keeping tabs on several other candidates currently employed by other clubs, Tuchel’s availability makes him an attractive option.
His immediate attainability could simplify the club’s decision-making process as they look to address recent concerns.
Members of United’s hierarchy are set to meet in London on Tuesday, with Ten Hag expected to engage in discussions with the club in the coming days regarding his future.
“So I don’t have any idea that is different,” Ten Hag said when pressed on his future after the goalless draw with Aston Villa, “because they should have told me.
“We communicate very open, very transparent.
“I speak continuously with them and just after the game I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions from you.
“We always talk.
“Every week, I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them.”
Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United is under increasing scrutiny as the club endures a difficult start to the season.
United have won just three of their 11 games across all competitions and currently sit 14th in the Premier League table.
Their attacking struggles are evident, with only five goals scored in seven league matches – leaving them behind all teams except 19th-placed Southampton.
United are already seven points off the pace for the fourth Champions League qualifying spot.
The club has not failed to qualify for Europe’s premier competition in two consecutive seasons since re-entering it in 1993.
Over the summer, Thomas Tuchel reportedly met with United co-chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe to discuss the possibility of taking over as manager.
When asked by the BBC on Friday whether he still had faith in Ten Hag, Ratcliffe declined to give a direct answer, saying, “I don’t want to answer that question.”
Ratcliffe also suggested that United’s key decision-makers are CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth.
Both executives officially started their roles in July, and were not involved in the decision to keep Ten Hag in the first place.
In September, Ashworth confirmed that he had no input on the decision to extend Ten Hag’s contract, but wrote in the club’s yearbook: “Our first big decision of the summer was to extend Erik ten Hag’s contract as men’s first-team manager until June 2026, reflecting our strong belief in him as one of Europe’s top coaches and the right partner to lead the team back to the level expected.”
However, despite that backing, United’s performances have continued to falter.
Since the September international break, the team has only managed two wins in seven matches, marking their worst start to a league season in 35 years.
Thomas Tuchel has been linked with United on several occasions. Last season, the German coach spoke highly of the club and its history ahead of Bayern Munich’s Champions League group-stage encounters with United.
He praised United’s legacy and even brought up their 1999 Champions League final comeback against Bayern, unprompted.
Tuchel boasts an impressive résumé, having won major trophies in both the Premier League and Europe during his time with Chelsea, where he secured the Champions League and Club World Cup titles.
He also guided the team to three additional cup finals. Despite his success, Tuchel’s managerial stints have tended to be relatively short.
He spent 18 months at Chelsea, 18 months at Bayern Munich, and two-and-a-half years at Paris Saint-Germain.
Tuchel’s crowning achievement at PSG was leading the club to its first-ever Champions League final in 2020, though they fell short against Bayern.
He also claimed back-to-back Ligue 1 titles with PSG and won the Bundesliga with Bayern in 2023.
Read more: Why Liverpool are offering new contracts to Jarell Quansah and Ibrahima Konate
Paul Pogba expected to leave Juventus
Jonny Evans gives honest verdict on speculation surrounding Erik ten Hag’s Man United future
