Manchester United are eyeing a swoop for Thomas Tuchel to replace Erik ten Hag as manager after holding talks with the former Chelsea boss in the summer, according to reports.
The club’s decision-makers decided to retain faith in the Dutchman, extending his contract by one year until 2026 and handing him £200million in the summer transfer window.
But United’s fortunes haven’t improved on the back of their worst-ever Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
The Red Devils have won just two of their opening seven Premier League games, only scoring five goals, which has left them 14th.
In the Europa League, Ten Hag’s side have failed to win either of their first two fixtures against FC Twente and Porto, fumbling a 2-0 lead to draw 3-3 with the latter last week.
The dismal start to the season has evaporated all optimism among supporters sparked by FA Cup glory over Manchester City in May.
And it has prompted mass uncertainty about Ten Hag’s status ahead of two high-profile meetings involving the United hierarchy this week.
According to the Manchester Evening News, United are lining up a renewed approach for Tuchel to replace the 54-year-old.
The M16 giants are said to admire alternative candidates who are currently in active jobs, which is considered a significant hurdle.
Meanwhile, Tuchel has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich in the summer, and not many available coaches match his pedigree.
The German has lifted 11 trophies across his tenures at Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern.
He turned Chelsea into world champions after guiding the Blues to their second Champions League triumph in 2021.
Whether United would be able to find a breakthrough with Tuchel remains to be seen, but they are now more desperate for a solution than in the summer.
Ten Hag confirmed he expects to hold discussions with the United hierarchy this week after Sunday’s 0-0 bore draw at Aston Villa, extending the club’s winless run to five games.
Ratcliffe, co-chairman Joel Glazer and the sporting leadership team will be among those present at both meetings – the first in Manchester today before one in London tomorrow.
Ten Hag’s future will undoubtedly be on the agenda, with a decision set to be made on whether to afford the Dutchman more time to make things right.
