The prospect of Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag’s departure at Old Trafford looms, with club co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly eyeing former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel as a potential replacement.
Reports indicate that Ratcliffe has reached out to Tuchel, currently with Bayern Munich as speculation swirls around the imminent departure of current coach Ten Hag.
Man United suffered a setback in their FA Cup semi-final against Championship side Coventry City, surrendering a 3-0 lead before clinching victory in a tense penalty shootout. Despite the triumph, the lacklustre performance has intensified calls for a managerial change.
Ten Hag’s tenure at United has been marked by disappointment, exacerbated by the team’s failure to secure a Champions League berth. With only one win in their last seven Premier League matches and an early exit from European competition, pressure mounted on Ten Hag even before the Coventry clash.
Critics, including former Man United star Roy Keane, lambasted the team’s shambolic display, labelling it as “shocking.”
Roy Keane was particularly damning of their display against the play-off chasing Championship side with the Man Utd legend calling it a “shocking” performance.
“I can’t believe what I’m watching,” Keane said on ITV at the end of 90 minutes. “You’re 3-0 up, you’re coasting and you start slowing the game down. You look for leadership, you see the goalkeeper messing around.
“Obviously once that first goal for Coventry goes in, they get confidence and momentum and it’s all with Coventry now. But United, if they don’t get over the line in this game… I don’t know.
“Huge credit to Coventry, United… shocking. Coventry, I take my hat off to them.”
Tuchel’s successful stint at Bayern Munich and his desire to return to the Premier League make him an appealing candidate for Ratcliffe.
German journalist Georg Holzner asserts that Ratcliffe, having acquired a significant stake in Man United, has initiated contact with Tuchel, expressing a high regard for the manager.
Holzner wrote on X: “It seems very unlikely that #ThomasTuchel will continue at #FCBayern. The FCB management still considers the decision to be the right one. Tuchel, on the other hand, has already been contacted by #ManchesterUnited . #ManUnited
“Man United owner #Ratcliffe , who highly values #Tuchel, has asked the current Bayern coach about a commitment for the coming season if the club parts ways with Erik ten Hag at the end of the season. Tuchel is currently only focusing on the #FCBayern.”
While Tuchel’s future at Bayern remains uncertain, Ratcliffe’s interest suggests a potential managerial shake-up at Old Trafford shortly.
