Thomas Tuchel “first in line” should Manchester United decide to replace Erik ten Hag | OneFootball

Manchester United would turn to Thomas Tuchel should the club decide to part ways with Erik ten Hag next season.

Mike Keegan (Daily Mail) reveals the German manager would be “first in line” if United needed to replace Ten Hag following a similarly dismal start to the year as last season.

However, Keegan reiterates that Old Trafford officials have “thrown their full weight” behind the Dutchman after an end-of-season review by INEOS concluded with a one-year extension for Ten Hag.

But the nature of the deal – a twelve month extension on his pre-existing contract – suggests it is a short-term fix, rather than an indication of long-term faith.

In this this period while the review was being conducted, Sir Jim Ratcliffe – who gained full control over the sporting operation at Old Trafford in February following his ratification as United’s new co-owner by the Premier League – is reported to have met with Tuchel over potentially replacing Ten Hag.

Keegan writes the British billionaire “held talks” with the former Bayern Munich manager in Monaco, the principality where Ratcliffe resides.

During this meeting, Tuchel “outlined how he would approach restoring United to the top, along with his strategy for doing so.” It’s believed the vision espoused by the German “impressed Ratcliffe during the conversation” but that the “overriding emotion of Tuchel…was that he needed a break from football.”

Which leaves lingering questions.

Would United have backed Ten Hag had Tuchel felt more ready to return to football? Was the one-year extension to the Dutch manager simply the next best step after the first-choice option ruled himself out of the running? How many bad results can Ten Hag endure next season before INEOS pull the trigger?

It’s a view Keegan corroborates when he writes, “Should [Tuchel] remain available – and should United feel the need to act – his arrival at Old Trafford would not come as a surprise.” The question of Tuchel’s availability is an contentious one, however.

The German had previously signalled his intention to take a sabbatical from football, appearing to want a chance to let his batteries re-charge.

But as revealed by Christian Falk, a German football expert, Tuchel is being considered by the Football Association as “one of the candidates to succeed” Gareth Southgate as England manager, following his decision to resign today.

Tweet: “After the resignation of Gareth Southgate (52): ❇️ Thomas Tuchel (50) is one of the candidates to succeed ❇️ Tuchel wanted to take a year off, but the job as manager of England would appeal to him ❇️ Tuchel was already interested in the Job before the Euro 2021, at that time, Southgate was criticized ❇️ At the Moment, Tuchel is still payed by FC Bayern”

This appears to create a possible scenario where United begin the season terribly, the pressure builds on INEOS to part ways with Ten Hag, and the executive’s first-choice replacement has just been snapped up for the England job before they are able to do so.

Best start the season right then Erik!

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