Thomas Tuchel to Man Utd: Far-fetched lunacy or a possibility?
In the hours following the news that Roman Abramovich had been sanctioned by the UK government, there’s been a rather sensational discussion doing the rounds that Man Utd should spice up their search for a new manager by focusing their intentions on Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel.
With Abramovich’s assets frozen, Chelsea’s proposed sale has been put on hold. Additionally, the club are no longer allowed to sell match tickets, they can’t offer new contracts to players or staff, are unable to conduct any transfer business, and have to cut cost on away travel.
Tuchel has been exceptional since replacing Frank Lampard at the Bridge just over a year ago. Within four months of his Blues appointment he’d won the Champions League, secured a top-four finish, and finished runner-up in the FA Cup final.
The German has since been named the UEFA Men's Coach of the Year and 2021 Best FIFA Men's Football Coach. He’s lifted the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup too, and came agonisingly close to winning the League Cup; losing 11-10 on penalties to Liverpool.
Chelsea are 3rd in the Premier League table, with a very faint chance of winning the title but not impossible, and remain in contention to win both the Champions League and FA Cup.
Tuchel is up there with the best bosses in the world, and while a move away from Chelsea this summer seemed extremely remote earlier this morning, could a move to another Premier League club soon gather steam?
Previously a 33/1 outsider for the Man Utd job, Tuchel can now be backed at 12/1 (Paddy Power & Betfair) to make a shock switch to Old Trafford, odds which could well shorten further in the upcoming hours.
As a result, Tuchel is now shorter than Rangnick in the betting. PSG’s Mauricio Pochettino remains the evens favourite, just ahead of Ajax’s Erik ten Hag (15/8), with the duo widely reported to be the two main contenders to replace interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
It would, however, be a serious statement of intent if Man Utd re-directed their attention onto Tuchel; boosting their own future prospects of success while potentially diminishing those of a direct rival. If there’s even a 0.01% interest from Tuchel, then United should offer him the world and more.
While the situation currently engulfing Chelsea puts Tuchel’s own future at the club in the spotlight, it’s simply too soon to seriously suggest that he could be tempted by a move to Old Trafford.
We’ll have to see how this one plays out, it goes without saying that Tuchel is clearly extremely fond of his current employers but if his hands become severely tied then an escape route up north could become a serious option.
