The recent meeting between Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Thomas Tuchel in Monaco has unveiled significant developments. After leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season, the former Chelsea manager has been heavily linked with the managerial position at Manchester United.
Despite spending just three months at the helm of Bayern Munich, Tuchel led the team to the Champions League semifinals but was unable to prevent Bayer Leverkusen from clinching the Bundesliga title. This brief stint has not deterred rumors connecting him to Manchester United, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Erik ten Hag’s future at the club.
Despite Manchester United’s recent FA Cup victory over Manchester City, Erik ten Hag’s position remains under scrutiny. Ten Hag managed to secure an eighth-place finish in the Premier League, win a trophy, and qualify for the Europa League, yet doubts about his future persist. His current contract is set to end next year, and speculation about his potential departure is rampant.
Journalist Christian Falk of BILD Sport reported that Tuchel and Ratcliffe met in Monaco on Tuesday. During this clandestine rendezvous, Tuchel allegedly discussed his vision for replacing Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. However, it is also noted that Tuchel does not intend to take up any new position this summer.
Falk’s report highlights Tuchel’s previous success with players like Antonio Rudiger at Chelsea, suggesting that Tuchel could rejuvenate players like Jadon Sancho and reintegrate Mason Mount into the team if he were to take over at Manchester United.
In a separate interview with Sky Sports, Dutch manager Louis van Gaal, when asked about the future of his compatriot Erik ten Hag, expressed that Ten Hag should be given more time at Manchester United. Van Gaal, who himself faced time constraints during his tenure at United, pointed out that he also won the FA Cup and qualified for the Champions League. He argued that Ten Hag’s achievements in his first year—winning the FA Cup and securing European competition qualification—warrant more patience and time for him to build his team.
Van Gaal acknowledged Ten Hag’s need for more time, comparing it to his own experience, where he also achieved success but was not given enough duration to implement his long-term vision. While Van Gaal admitted to some critical thoughts about Ten Hag’s performance, he ultimately recognized him as a capable manager.
Following last month’s FA Cup final, Ten Hag addressed the media regarding speculation about his future. He stated that he is committed to the project at Manchester United and emphasized the progress made since his arrival. Ten Hag spoke about the initial chaos at the club when he took over and the ongoing efforts to build a team for the future. He stressed the importance of enduring highs and lows, and noted the team’s progress and success in winning trophies.
Ten Hag pointed out that winning two trophies in two years, along with reaching three finals, is a solid record, but he emphasized the need for continued improvement. He expressed his determination to win more championships and indicated that he would seek opportunities elsewhere if the club no longer wanted him, reflecting his career-long commitment to winning titles.