Manchester United considering Thomas Tuchel as Erik ten Hag’s replacement
Manchester United are exploring the possibility of appointing Thomas Tuchel as a replacement for Erik ten Hag, a move that was also under consideration during the summer. Tuchel remains available after leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season, which adds to his appeal for the club.
United had previously shown interest in Tuchel over the summer when they were evaluating Ten Hag’s position. While United are also monitoring other potential candidates who are currently under contract with other clubs, Tuchel’s availability makes him a more immediate option. Club officials are set to meet in London on Tuesday, and Ten Hag is expected to discuss his future with them in the coming days.
Ten Hag, addressing speculation about his position after a goalless draw with Aston Villa, emphasized that he is in continuous and transparent communication with the club. He mentioned that he regularly speaks with the management, indicating no immediate concern about his status.
Currently, Ten Hag’s position is precarious, with United managing only three wins in their 11 games this season, leaving them 14th in the Premier League standings. The team has only scored five goals in their seven league matches, with only Southampton, in 19th place, having a lower tally.
United are already seven points behind the fourth spot in the league, which would secure them a Champions League place. They have never missed out on Champions League qualification for two consecutive seasons since rejoining the competition in 1993.
Tuchel reportedly met with United’s co-chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe over the summer to discuss a possible move. Ratcliffe, when recently asked about his confidence in Ten Hag, declined to answer directly. He suggested that the main decision-makers regarding Ten Hag’s future were chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth, who only started their roles in July.
Ashworth expressed his confidence in Ten Hag last month by highlighting the club’s decision to extend the manager’s contract until June 2026. He described Ten Hag as one of Europe’s top coaches, and someone they believed could restore United to the level expected.
However, since Berrada and Ashworth publicly backed Ten Hag, United have won just two of their seven matches. This has led to United experiencing their worst league start in 35 years.
Tuchel’s interest in the United role has been clear, with the German manager speaking highly of the club before Bayern’s Champions League clashes against them last season. His admiration for United’s history and success was evident when he unprompted mentioned their famous 1999 Champions League final win over Bayern.
Tuchel’s previous experience in the Premier League with Chelsea, where he won the Champions League, Club World Cup, and reached three other finals, adds to his credentials. However, his tenure at his last two clubs, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, was relatively short, lasting 18 months at each, with a two-and-a-half-year stint at Paris Saint-Germain before that.
Despite his short-term tenures, Tuchel’s record includes reaching the Champions League final with PSG, winning successive Ligue 1 titles, and securing a Bundesliga title with Bayern in 2023. His familiarity with the Premier League and proven track record in Europe make him an attractive option for Manchester United as they consider their next steps.
Manchester United considering Thomas Tuchel as Erik ten Hag’s replacement
