Thomas Tuchel, manager of Bayern Munich, looks on during the Bundesliga game against TSG Hoffenheim at PreZero-Arena in Sinsheim, Germany, May 18, 2024. /CFP
The Premier League's Manchester United won't appoint Thomas Tuchel or Mauricio Pochettino as their manager if the club parts ways with Erik ten Hag, ESPN reported on Monday.
Ten Hag, who arrived at Old Trafford in 2022, has one year left on his current contract with the Red Devils. The club won 66 of their 114 games in all competitions under the Dutch manager.
They finished in third place during the 2022-23 campaign and eighth last season. One of the manager's few highlights was winning the English FA Cup by defeating local rivals Manchester City 2-1 at London's Wembley Stadium in May.
Both Tuchel and Pochettino are available after leaving managerial positions with Bayern Munich and Chelsea, respectively. Neither club performed well this season. Bayern failed to extend their Bundesliga-winning streak to 12 seasons, while Chelsea ended up in sixth place in the Premier League.
Mauricio Pochettino, manager of Chelsea, looks on during the Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at City Ground in Nottingham, England, May 11, 2024. /CFP
According to ESPN, United ruled Tuchel out because they were worried he may not work well with new sporting director Dan Ashworth due to potentially wanting a big say in player transfers and roster building.
Though United haven't announced their decision on Ten Hag, they have been studying various candidates who may succeed him, including Thomas Frank of Brentford and Roberto De Zerbi, who was sacked by Brighton.
Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town and Gareth Southgate of the English national team were also reportedly on United's recruitment list, but McKenna agreed to a long-term extension, while Southgate said he was only focused on the upcoming UEFA European Championship.
Having won 20 First Division/Premier League titles, more than any other English club, United haven't been able to lift that trophy since the 2012-13 season.