Manchester United 'rejected by manager target' ahead of Erik ten Hag decision

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 09 June 2024

Man United 'rejected by manager target' ahead of Ten Hag decision

Thomas Tuchel tells allegedly Manchester United's minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe that he does not want to become the club's new head coach.

Thomas Tuchel has reportedly informed Manchester United's minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe that he does not want to become the new head coach of the 20-time English champions.

The Red Devils are in the latter stages of their end-of-season review, with a decision on the future of head coach Erik ten Hag expected to be communicated next week.

Man United finished down in eighth spot in last season's Premier League, which represented their worst-ever campaign in the current format, although Ten Hag was able to deliver the FA Cup trophy.

Tuchel is available this summer, with the German leaving Bayern Munich, and it had been claimed that he was Ratcliffe's leading target to replace Erik Hag, should a change be made.

However, according to The Sun, the former Chelsea head coach has told Man United chiefs that he is intending to take a break from management, ruling him out of the running for the job at Old Trafford.

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel on April 9, 2024 © Reuters

Tuchel 'turns down the managerial job at Old Trafford'

Tuchel is said to have held two meetings with Ratcliffe in recent weeks to discuss the possibility of returning to English football with the Red Devils.

However, after a testing season at Bayern, the 50-year-old wants to take some time out to recover before taking on his next role.

Ten Hag has delivered trophies in each of his two seasons at Old Trafford, and he insisted that the team's injury problems, which were severe, caused the majority of their problems in 2023-24.

INEOS have been conducting an end-of-season review since the FA Cup final, which Man United won 2-1, with Ten Hag currently on holiday, while a number of his players are preparing to represent their countries at Euro 2024 and the Copa America.

England manager Gareth Southgate pictured on June 7, 2024 © Reuters

Who else is in the frame to replace Ten Hag?

England head coach Gareth Southgate continues to be linked with the role at Old Trafford, but a decision on his future will not be made until after the European Championship.

Man United simply cannot wait that long, as they have to prepare for the start of pre-season, so it is very difficult to imagine Southgate becoming the club's new manager this summer.

Mauricio Pochettino is available, having left Chelsea, and the Argentine is being strongly linked with the role.

Roberto De Zerbi is another manager available for an immediate start, with the Italian leaving Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of last season.

Graham Potter is also believed to be admired by Ratcliffe, with the 49-year-old out of work since leaving Chelsea in April 2023, but he has allegedly dropped down the pecking order in recent weeks.