One manager who won’t be coming to Manchester United is former Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel.
After weeks of reports claiming he was interested in the Manchester United job, and then even meeting Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco, Thomas Tuchel is out of the running.
Fabrizio Romano reports on X that Tuchel has removed himself from the running – you can only assume this is because the interview did not go according to plan, and he has been told he does not have the job.
Ineos are currently waiting to make a decision over who will manage Manchester United next season and beyond.
Thomas Tuchel wanted Antonio Rudiger
Earlier on Sunday, reports had emerged claiming Thomas Tuchel wanted to re-invigorate Jadon Sancho and Mason Mount at Manchester United.
Via Sport BILD’s Christian Falk, this was part of his Tuchel’s pitch to land the job. Fabrizio Romano has subsequently insisted Manchester United 100 per cent plan to sell Jadon Sancho.
Another part of Tuchel’s pitch, according to The Times, he told Ratcliffe he wanted to sign Antonio Rudiger from Real Madrid.
Tuchel managed Rudiger at Chelsea, and while the German defender is a very good defender, he is 31, the same age as Raphael Varane, who has just been allowed to leave.
To tempt Rudiger away, United would have had to put together a Casemiro-style deal, an expensive fee and high salary.
This is exactly the opposite of what Ineos want to do, and the strategy Manchester United want to get away from.
Thomas Tuchel out of the race
It is no surprise talks have now collapsed with Tuchel, and he is out of the running. The German was not the answer for Manchester United.
A decision is yet to be taken on the future of Erik ten Hag, and while Ratcliffe meeting with Tuchel is not a good sign for the Dutchman, it’s also due diligence to explore alternative options – and rule them out.
Tuchel is a short-term boss. That may not be what he wants to be, but it is what his record clearly demonstrates he is.
In spells at PSG, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, he has failed to last more than two years in any of them.
While has has brought some success, Ineos want long-term answers not quick fixes, which will end up needing replacing within one or two years.