LEGENDARY goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel refused to weigh in on the Manchester United manager debate after praising Thomas Tuchel.
Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford is currently uncertain amid the club’s inconsistent form.
The Dutchman could be sacked this summer, with new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe looking at the possibilty of bringing in a new manager.
Bayern Munich boss Tuchel has been one of the names linked with the Red Devils in recent months.
United legend Schmeichel has insisted Tuchel – who is set to leave Bayern this summer after failing to win the Bundesliga title – is a good manager despite his rocky patch.
Speaking on BeIN Sports, he said: “I like him. I like Thomas Tuchel. I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing him a couple of times. His football knowledge is fantastic.
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“He’s been a little bit unlucky with being at two big football clubs at the wrong time of their history, at times where things weren’t working on every level.
“It’s not that he didn’t do well Chelsea, for instance. I mean, he won the Champions League didn’t he?
“I just like him, there’s something about him. He projects an authority.
“Never compare people but he’s got the same kind of thing that [Jurgen] Klopp has. You know he’s the boss and you know what he’s doing.”
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Tuchel’s managerial career
Clubs:
- FC Augsburg II (2007-08)
- Mainz 05 (2009-2014)
- Borussia Dortmund (2015-2017)
- Paris Saint-Germain (2018-2020)
- Chelsea (2021-2022)
- Bayern Munich (2023-now)
Honours:
- DFB Pokal
- Ligue 1 title x2
- Coupe de France
- Trophee des Champions
- UEFA Champions League title
- UEFA Supercup
- FIFA Club World Cup
- Bundesliga title
- FIFA The Best Football Coach 2021
- UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year 2020-21
Schmeichel was then asked if he could see Tuchel replacing Ten Hag this summer.
However, he refused to weigh in and instead turned his back on presenter Richard Keys.
The ex-goalkeeper then continued: “I’m not going to go there! There’s no way. I know it’s speculative… no, I’m not.
“If Manchester United were in the market for a manager then he should be somebody mentioned in that respect. He should be.
“He has that kind of pedigree, he’s got the authority, he’s proven he can win which I think is really important.
“He doesn’t come with a set system, ‘This is how our football is being played’… yeah, of course, he’s a big-club manager, isn’t he?”
Man Utd currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, 13 points adrift of the top four.
Pundits verdict on Ten Hag’s future
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
