Manchester United are reportedly considering a blockbuster move for Thomas Tuchel as a “potential replacement” for the increasingly beleaguered Erik ten Hag.
The Manchester Evening News reveals Old Trafford executives are “lining up” a move for the German manager as the club’s poor start to the season continued following disappointing back-to-back draws against Porto and Aston Villa last week.
While neither match ended in a loss, the abject nature of both performances – the chaos against the Portuguese side and the non-existent attacking threat in Birmingham – did little to restore the dwindling faith in Ten Hag, following the previous weekend’s dismal loss to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils sit 14th in the Premier League, already ten points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Their goal difference is minus three and only newly-promoted Southampton have scored fewer times.
It offers a startling comparison to last season’s atrocious campaign which saw United finish with similarly damning statistics in the league; except there is no injury crisis to fall back on as an excuse for the Dutch manager this time.
INEOS, who gained full control over the football operation at Old Trafford in February, conduced a comprehensive ‘end-of-season’ review following this historically poor year. It was, in part, designed to assess how much of the poor nature of the team’s performances were attributable to Ten Hag, and how much was out of his control, owing to a host of external factors.
A number of managers were considered during this time as prospective replacements should the club have decided to part ways with the 54-year-old coach, including Tuchel.
The Manchester Evening News reveals the former Chelsea manager was “of interest to United in the summer” but, ultimately, an appointment never materialised, despite negotiations between Tuchel and the club.
There are conflicting reports on exactly why talks broke down, but the fact that United now appear willing to return to their pursuit of the German suggests there is belief these hurdles can be overcome. Or, rather, United are now so desperate they are potentially willing to cede their position.
The report also indicates “United admire other candidates” but that these options are “already attached to clubs” and thus their pursuit would be difficult. Tuchel, by comparison, is a free agent following his departure from Bayern Munich at the end of last season and is seen as “immediately attainable.”
It feels as if there is a sense of reluctance amongst the hierarchy at Old Trafford to give up on Ten Hag less than two months into a new season after the decision to stick with the Dutchman and extend his contract by twelve months.
But the club’s results and, perhaps more crucially, performances have been woefully short of the requisite standard, given the Dutchman is in his third season at Old Trafford, in a team largely moulded with his influence.
From this perspective, the renewed interest in Tuchel as a “potential replacement” is logical as the German coach offers a wealth of experience at the upper echelon of European football, as well as the Premier League.
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