Thomas Tuchel was very close to replacing Erik ten Hag as the new Manchester United manager this summer, according to German pundit Marcel Reif.
Ten Hag was under immense pressure during the back end of last season and there were suggestions that he could be sacked despite the club winning the FA Cup.
United’s new management under INEOS conducted an extended season review, but they eventually decided to continue with the Dutchman after a 16-day gap.
Speaking to German outlet BILD, Reif has now revealed that Tuchel was very close and was almost in agreement with United to become their manager.
However, there were differences over the transfer policy. Tuchel did not want any interference from outside and therefore decided against the move.
Reif said: “I would have bet a lot that Tuchel would replace Ten Hag. I recently had another conversation with someone who is very close to that. It was pretty far along, almost in agreement.
“As far as the squad is concerned, the considerations were different. Tuchel said pretty much at the finish line: ‘I’m not doing that! I won’t do that to myself again, that I go to a club and then things come from outside.’”
United spent around £181 million on five high-profile signings in Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte.
Ten Hag had some influence on the decision-making. De Ligt and Mazraoui were reunited with the 54-year-old after working under him at Ajax.
Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee also acknowledged that the manager was a driving force behind his move.
However, INEOS were heavily involved in the transfers of Yoro and Ugarte. Yoro’s arrival was a statement as he was largely tipped to join Real Madrid.
Tuchel probably wanted full control of transfers which was unlikely to happen with the recruitment of high-profile backroom staff in recent months.
In our view, the board made the right choice to continue with Ten Hag.
Tuchel has good pedigree, having guided Chelsea to the 2021 Champions League title, but he has not done much when it comes to league terms.
His Bayern Munich side were third in Bundesliga last term which was their worst-ever finish in 13 years.
Continuity is what United need at the moment. Ten Hag has had a bad start, but the hierarchy are prepared to keep faith in him as things stand.
