Thomas Tuchel has laid down the gauntlet to Manchester United amid a flurry of links between the outgoing Bayern Munich head coach and the Premier League side.
Erik ten Hag‘s role at Old Trafford has looked increasingly under pressure in the wake of Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s partial takeover at the Manchester club in February, but the possibility of the Dutchman extending his spell with United took a blow on Monday night.
A 4-0 humbling at Crystal Palace was the latest in the string of calamitous defeats or points dropped amid a turbulent season for Man United, and relations between Ten Hag and his players are thought to be at a low point.
The Man United hierarchy are believed to be interested in Ten Hag seeing out the remainder of the season – which will see the club attempt to end their campaign on a high note in their FA Cup final against Manchester City – but Ratcliffe is thought to be all but decided about moving on thereafter.
Tuchel, who was dismissed in February but has continued on at the Allianz to finish the 2023-24 term, is one of a number of names understood to be in contention for United.
Thomas Tuchel appeared to give Manchester United the green light with comments made before Bayern Munich’s Champions League semi-final
The former Chelsea boss shared that he had happy memories of his time on English soil
At Old Trafford Erik ten Hag’s position looks increasingly under fire, with changes to be made
With speculation over who might takeover from Ten Hag at a fever pitch after Monday evening’s defeat, the former Chelsea manager appeared to issue a come-and-get-me plea to the United board.
‘I’d rather not answer,’ Tuchel began when asked about the possibility of a return to the Premier League.
‘But it is no secret that I loved it at Chelsea, I loved it in England, and I loved it in the Premier League for sure.
‘I was a very, very special time in England, and I remember it well,’ Tuchel said to TNT Sports.
The 50-year-old served at the helm of the west London club between 2021 and 2022, during which time he won the Champions League, the Super Cup, and Club World Cup with the Blues.
But with the side’s change of ownership in May 2022, Tuchel quickly fell out of favour at Stamford Bridge and was replaced by former Brighton manager Graham Potter just four months later.
The head coach lasted a turbulent 10 months in Munich after stepping into Julian Nagelsmann’s shoes.
Partial owner Sir…