The Case for Thomas Tuchel as Manchester United’s Next Manager

The current scarcity of elite managerial candidates in the market has prompted Manchester United to appoint Michael Carrick as a temporary solution. However, the summer is expected to present more attractive options, including Andoni Iraola, whose contract with Bournemouth expires, along with Oliver Glasner from Crystal Palace and Marco Silva from Fulham.

Mauricio Pochettino, who narrowly lost to Erik Ten Hag in 2022, may also be in the job market after managing the United States during their home World Cup. Additionally, Xabi Alonso and Enzo Maresca rank among the best available coaches at this time.

However, the prime candidate for United should be Thomas Tuchel. The German manager has a remarkable ability to achieve positive results rapidly and remains unfazed under pressure. His tenure at Borussia Dortmund, where he replaced Jurgen Klopp, saw him finish second and third in the Bundesliga while also securing the DFB-Pokal during his two seasons. He then won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain and led them to the Champions League final, demonstrating his capacity to manage high-profile teams effectively.

Tuchel transformed Chelsea’s fortunes shortly after taking over from Frank Lampard, clinching the Champions League title within four months and reaching three domestic cup finals. His quick success was evident again at Bayern Munich, where he swiftly put Dortmund back in the title race, although he later became the first coach in over a decade to lose the Bundesliga title. Despite this setback, he nearly guided the team to another Champions League final.

As the first foreign England coach in more than a decade, Tuchel has faced significant scrutiny but has managed a record-breaking World Cup qualifying campaign, winning every competitive match while keeping a clean sheet. His capacity to foster intense internal competition also indicates that he will not be influenced by star players.

Fans appreciate Tuchel for his tactical acumen, which is rivaled only by Pep Guardiola, particularly for his ability to adapt his team’s formation mid-game. His flexible approach, demonstrated during his time at Mainz, would appeal to United supporters who are frustrated by the rigid tactics employed by Amorim.

While Tuchel’s tendency to remain at clubs for only a few years poses a concern, his short-term effectiveness could benefit United, especially as he seems to have an exit strategy from the England role following the World Cup. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the United board might have reservations about Tuchel’s strong-willed nature, but the discord caused by Amorim’s clash with Jason Wilcox should prompt a reevaluation of the club’s management structure.

Alan Shearer emphasized the importance of appointing a strong character and allowing them autonomy, noting that successful clubs like Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Arsenal are typically managed by their head coaches, working collaboratively with others in the organization. Ratcliffe must choose whether to control a declining club or to delegate responsibilities within a more competitive environment. Choosing the latter would require him to set aside his ego for a better outcome.

However, even if Ratcliffe opts for Tuchel, hiring him would not come without risks. If England advances to the World Cup final, Tuchel would have less than five weeks to prepare for the next season—a challenging timeline. Securing a deal before the tournament begins is crucial yet could lead to conflicts between the Football Association and Tuchel.

Should Tuchel accept the position at United, it would likely become a major distraction during the World Cup, possibly affecting England’s performance and leading to media scrutiny.

Historically, appointing high-profile international coaches before major tournaments has yielded mixed results. For instance, Manchester United hired Louis van Gaal prior to the 2014 World Cup, where his impressive run with the Netherlands heightened fan expectations. Conversely, Julen Lopetegui’s appointment by Real Madrid just before the 2018 World Cup resulted in turmoil, due to miscommunication with the Spanish federation.

While the England Football Association has not disclosed Tuchel’s contract situation, he has been transparent about focusing solely on the World Cup. Managing this transition would require careful navigation, especially given the irony of negotiating with Dan Ashworth, who was recently dismissed by Ratcliffe from his position at United.

Ratcliffe, dissatisfied with Ashworth’s candidate shortlist to replace Ten Hag, may find it ironic that United is now solely considering Premier League-ready coaches. This situation underscores the confusion within the club and highlights the financial implications of their managerial changes, having spent over £40 million in the past 15 months on sacking and hiring decisions.

Ultimately, Tuchel would undoubtedly be an elite appointment for Manchester United. The pivotal questions remain whether the club is willing to adapt its structure to attract him and whether they can handle potential backlash from compromising the national team’s focus before a major tournament. However, to revitalize United into a winning entity, overlooking Tuchel would be a missed opportunity.