HITC sources can confirm that Manchester United have spoken to Thomas Tuchel, Roberto De Zerbi and Mauricio Pochettino as they continue to check on possible replacements for Erik Ten Hag.
It has emerged that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has spoken directly with Tuchel whilst HITC can confirm that there has also been contact with De Zerbi and Pochettino’s camps.
United are yet to confirm the outcome of their end of season review which will decide the future of Ten Hag – who remains in the dark about whether he will continue in charge at Old Trafford.
United sources insist that no decision has been made about the Dutchman, but despite this insistence, talks have been ongoing with other options in recent weeks.
Sir Alex Ferguson wants Mauricio Pochettino to get Old Trafford job
Indeed one of those options is Mauricio Pochettino, which has come at the behest of United’s legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson – who has the ear of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ferguson is very close to Pochettino and HITC is told that he continues to press the case for the Argentine to be given the chance to take charge – having previously missed out to Ten Hag for the United job in 2022.
HITC understands Pochettino is someone of interest to United, and sources close to the former Southampton and Tottenham boss have confirmed to us that he has made it clear that despite only leaving Chelsea at the end of last season – he is ready to return to management.
Pochettino spent last weekend managing the rest of the world XI in the SoccerAid charity match which took place at Stamford Bridge, and he admitted that he was open about what the future held for him.
“In football you never know, things can happen – today, nothing but tomorrow can appear and any opportunity, we are open to listen,” he told TalkSport.
Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi spoken to by Man United
HITC can confirm that Thomas Tuchel – who left Bayern Munich last month – has spoken with minority Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but he is not going to be taking charge at United.
Sources close to Tuchel’s camp say he is planning a break from football this summer, whilst United have also played down claims he was considered favourite for the role – pointing to the fact that talks were obviously ongoing with other candidates.
Indeed, HITC is told that former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is emerging as a person of interest to United. The Italian is a free agent after leaving Brighton at the end of the season and he is understood to be keen on staying in the Premier League.
Aside from Pochettino, another former Chelsea boss in the shape of Graham Potter retains an interest in succeeding Ten Hag, whilst Brentford’s Thomas Frank also has supporters at the club.
However, HITC is told that England boss Gareth Southgate remains someone who the club’s football department deem the ‘best fit’ for the club in the long-term.
Minority owner Ratcliffe, who spoke to Tuchel, is set to have the final say on the United manager situation but he leaning very heavily on his footballing department that is led by his most trusted INEOS staff Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, who are also now board members at Old Trafford.
As HITC revealed last week, Ten Hag and his key backroom staff are waiting to hear whether he will still be in charge at United next season.
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