Thomas Tuchel ‘is on Man United’s shortlist’ if Sir Jim Ratcliffe decides to replace Erik ten Hag – with German set to leave Bayern Munich this summer despite fan protests

Thomas Tuchel is reportedly on Manchester United’s shortlist of potential new managers if they decide to fire Erik ten Hag.

The German is set to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season, as announced in February, although more than 19,000 supporters have signed a petition for him to stay.

Ten Hag is fighting for his future with United sixth in the Premier League table and preparing for a repeat of last year’s FA Cup final against Manchester City towards the end of the month.

Tuchel has led Bayern to a disappointing season domestically but has every chance of reaching the Champions League final. Bayern face Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final next week, after drawing 2-2 in Germany on Tuesday.

The Times reports that Tuchel is on a list of managers being considered, although concerns have been raised over his habit of falling out with his bosses at Chelsea and Bayern.

Thomas Tuchel reportedly on Manchester United manager shortlist if they sack Erik ten Hag

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Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 but was sacked in September 2022.

If he joins United, it could be a summer of radical upheaval as they prepare for a fire sale, with just three players off the chopping block.

Some believe Bayern could reverse course on their decision to part ways with Tuchel after Ralf Rangnick became the third manager to refuse to become his successor.

Xabi Alonso and Julian Nagelsmann had already turned down the opportunity to join them.

He left the door open to a stay, saying Thursday that “everything is possible” but that “the agreement (to leave in the summer) is still valid.”

Bayern are on course to beat last season’s points total and, under usual circumstances, would seal the title had Leverkusen not recorded a remarkable unbeaten season.

When news emerged that Bayern wanted Rangnick, fans reacted badly.

Fans started a petition titled “We want Juppel (Thomas Tuchel) not Rangnick” and to date it has collected over 19,000 signatures.

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Tuchel initially made few comments on the matter.

“Even though this topic is good for me when they (the fans) want you to stay, it is not something of priority,” he said before the 2-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt on last month.

“This is not allowed to be a priority. In the next 11 days it will be all about football, nothing else. Whether it’s pleasant or unpleasant, I don’t let myself be influenced.

Fault lines have ravaged Tuchel’s reign for some time at Bayern, with particular tension between him and the club’s honorary president Uli Hoeness.

Recently, Hoeness upped the ante by questioning Tuchel’s attitude as a coach.

“He doesn’t think he can improve Davies, Pavlovic or Musiala. If it doesn’t work, you should buy someone else,” Hoeness said.

“I think you should work hard with them and give them confidence.”

Tuchel responded: “This deeply offends me as a coach.

Tuchel left the door open to a stay at Bayern on Thursday, saying “anything is possible”.

“If we have proven anything in the coaching staff over the last 15 years, it is that young players – especially those in the academy – always have a place with us in training and, thanks to their performances, always have their place on the field.

“And besides, we proved it!” I understand very little of it. I find this absolutely baseless!

“It’s actually so far from reality that I wouldn’t have reacted to it at all if it hadn’t come from Uli.

“The fact that it comes from our boss before Real gives it a different flavor.”