Transfer: Champions League winning manager meets with Manchester United chiefs – Fabrizio Romano
Fabrizio Romano recently shared that Manchester United had discussions with Thomas Tuchel over the possibility of him taking over as manager. This came at a time when Erik ten Hag’s future with the club was uncertain following a disappointing season end. Reports suggested that INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, was close to parting ways with ten Hag.
However, after Manchester United’s FA Cup victory over Manchester City, the club decided to stick with ten Hag. Romano revealed on The Debrief Podcast that meetings did take place between United and Tuchel during the summer.
Although Tuchel had a dialogue with Manchester United, the club eventually opted to continue with Erik ten Hag. It is common practice for top clubs to consider replacement options for managers, and Tuchel was one of the names in the mix for United.
Tuchel had a successful stint at Chelsea, leading them to victory in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup during his tenure. Despite his accomplishments, he was surprisingly sacked by Chelsea’s new owner in 2022.
In hindsight, Thomas Tuchel’s proven track record of success at top clubs could have made him an excellent choice for Manchester United had they decided to go in a different direction.
Erik ten Hag is under huge pressure at Manchester United after overseeing their joint-worst start to a Premier League season, but Ally McCoist has warned against sacking the Dutchman
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag faces a defining week at Old Trafford.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag faces a defining week at Old Trafford.v (Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Ally McCoist insists it would be absolute “madness” for Manchester United to part ways with Erik ten Hag amid their woeful start.
Erik ten Hag is staring down the barrel as United’s joint-worst Premier League start sees them languishing in 13th place after a string of losses, including crushing 3-0 defeats at home to both Liverpool and Spurs.
With Ten Hag on thin ice, pivotal matches against Porto and Aston Villa loom large; results from these games could dictate his future at Old Trafford before the upcoming international break.
Despite numerous calls for Ten Hag’s dismissal and a fresh face at United’s helm, pundit and ex-Rangers ace McCoist believes such a move won’t address the deep-seated issues plaguing the team.
Speaking to talkSPORT BET, McCoist pondered over United’s commitment to Ten Hag: “It’s difficult to say how long United should give Ten Hag, because they’ve only just extended his contract. With the new owners giving him that new deal, it would make sense for them to stick with him no matter what happens in the foreseeable future.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: TNT Sports presenter Ally McCoist during the Premier League match between Newcastle
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: TNT Sports presenter Ally McCoist during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on December 02, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
“It would be madness to give him a new contract and then get rid of him straight away, that wouldn’t make any sense whatsoever.”
McCoist concluded with a degree of optimism for Ten Hag’s tenure: “Unless there’s a rapid and unbelievable decline in results and standards, I think Ten Hag will be in charge at least until Christmas.”
Despite his support for Manchester United sticking with Erik ten Hag, Ally McCoist has voiced concerns over the evident quality gap between the Red Devils and the Premier League’s leading teams.
“Manchester United have been one of the most disappointing sides in the Premier League this season,” McCoist remarked. “They were outclassed by Liverpool, beaten by Brighton, and already after just five games we’ve seen for definite that they’ve got no chance of winning the league.
“Their best hope of winning something this season is in one of the cups, that’s where they are at the moment.
“They have to start improving. From the manager’s point of view, the performances need to improve and they need to start taking points off those sides higher up the table.
“There’s no doubt that both the performances and results need to improve. United are a club that has to be taking three points off the rest of the teams outside the big six on a consistent basis.
“They always get beaten by Manchester City and Liverpool, and Arsenal will probably beat them this season. The most worrying thing for me is the gulf in class that was so apparent in their loss to Liverpool.”
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