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At the end of last season, there was a high expectation that Erik ten Hag would be leaving Old Trafford after a poor season coming eighth in the Premier League and crashing out of the Champions League group stages. His only saving grace, winning the FA Cup.
In the final game of the season, Manchester United rocked up at Wembley and unexpectedly defeated Manchester City 2-1 thanks to goals from Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.
Ultimately, Sir Jim Ratcliffe gave Erik ten Hag a vote of confidence by keeping him on and extending his contract by an extra year.
However, INEOS and the Manchester United operational directors had already started developing a shortlist of potential replacements in case they decided to part ways with the Dutch manager.
On this list were some impressive managers now making their name in top-tier football like Kieran McKenna of Ipswich and Thomas Frank of Brentford. However several high profile, elite managers were also considered. Fresh of his sacking from Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino was added to the list alongside Bayern Munich’s then manager, Thomas Tuchel.
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Manchester United’s advanced talks with Thomas Tuchel
Reports at the time suggested that Sir Jim Ratcliffe met with Tuchel in Monaco to have an informal conversation about the job.
During these conversations, Tuchel raised issues with United’s defence, suggesting Antonio Rudiger as a perfect fit to solve the issues in the back line. Ultimately, The Red Devils didn’t take note of the suggestion, opting for Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt instead, however, new details are emerging suggesting that Tuchel turned down the offer of becoming United’s manager.
German newspaper Bild has now reported from pundit Marcel Reif, that a source close to the Tuchel situation is claiming the deal to see the German manager take over at Old Trafford was in its final stages.
The report said: “As far as the squad is concerned, the considerations were different. Tuchel said pretty much at the finish line: ‘I’m not doing that! I won’t do that to myself again, that I go to a club and then things come from outside.’”
These comments look to be referencing United’s new recruitment strategy, with the Premier League club taking some of the control from ten Hag and having the newly appointed operational directors take the lead. INEOS have brought in transfer and recruitment guru Christopher Vivell, whose contract has now been extended until January, showing Ratcliffe has been pleased with his contributions this summer.
Tuchel however is a manager who likes to be in control, so this step away from having such a heavy influence on the transfer dealings seems to be a significant issue for the 51-year-old.
This new information around Tuchel not taking on the United role may also serve to dampen the rumours currently emerging of the German manager being considered once more to replace Erik ten Hag if no progress is seen in the coming months.
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