THOMAS TUCHEL does not want the Manchester United job and told them he plans to take a break from football.
The former Chelsea boss has held two meetings with Red Devils owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in recent weeks.
United had made Tuchel their number one target as Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford looked increasingly uncertain.
However after leaving Bayern Munich in the summer, Tuchel has now indicated he needs some time away from management.
And that takes him out of the running to take over should ten Hag be relieved of his duties by the new minority owners.
He outlined how he would address the various issues that have hit United in recent months – including how to get the best out of Jadon Sancho.
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It is also understood he used his former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger as an example how he can bring the best out of players.
Ten Hag delivered silverware for the second successive year as he led United to a shock FA Cup final win over rivals City.
However more than two weeks later there has been no decision made about his future – with Ineos carrying out a review of the season.
They will not be involved in the Champions League in the 2024/5 campaign after a disappointing eighth-place finish.
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However, the Dutch boss had to contend with a crippling injury list for much of the season – meaning there were some mitigating circumstances.
Ratcliffe is aware ten Hag still has plenty of support from the fans – and must decide whether he could prosper in the new look structure which is being put in place at the club.
The feeling is that a final decision over whether to stick with Ten Hag or appoint a new manager will be made this week.
England boss Gareth Southgate is another possible replacement – but he is now tied up on the Three Lions Euro 2024 campaign.
Graham Potter is another name that has been tipped with the position at Old Trafford.
The former Chelsea and Brighton and Hove Albion manager has been out of work since being sacked last season.
Ratcliffe is said to be a big fan of the Englishman and reportedly tried to hire him for Nice.
It’s starting to look like Sir Jim Ratcliffe doesn’t know what he’s doing
By Neil Custis
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE looked more than a little shame-faced when he headed into Manchester United’s dressing room to congratulate his FA Cup winners.
The plan had already been hatched ahead of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Manchester City . . . and this was all rather awkward.
It was a stunning performance from Ten Hag’s troops and United’s triumph over a team widely regarded as the best in the world will live long in the memory.
It was also a personal triumph for the unassuming guy who had arrived at Old Trafford full of life and ideas to make United better — which in many ways he has.
Having been dealt a dreadful hand with injuries in his second season, he tried to explain to Ratcliffe and his team just how much this has affected performances.
But it seems Sir Jim hasn’t listened. Nor has he taken notice of the way Ten Hag has carefully brought Saturday’s scorers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo into the first team — with spectacular results.
Ratcliffe has fired out emails criticising the state of an office, called the club museum ‘crap’ and withdrew travel and lunch benefits for United staff on FA Cup final day to cut costs.
There is early proof the new men overseeing United’s football department do not know what they are doing, not least in the way they deal with people . . . including the most important one of all — the manager.
Ratcliffe and his team seem to have spoken to anyone able to set up Subbuteo.
And everyone they have spoken to believes they have got the job.
Read the full column from Neil Custis here
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
