Manchester United names Thomas Tuchel in five-man managers shortlist

Manchester United are underway in their search for a new man to steady the ship and reinstall the fear when visiting the Theatre of Dreams. Many names have been tossed into the hat but reports suggest they are down to their top five candidates and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel makes that shortlist.

It is all going wrong off the pitch for Chelsea as they feel the heat of their owner Roman Abramovich’s “connection” to the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, as Russia continues to invade Ukraine.

Sadly because of the knock-on effect it’s had on the West-London club, rumours suggest the German could leave at the end of the season. That and the Blues boss affirmed he will “absolutely” stay at the club until the summer.

But while uncertainty looms over one of the biggest clubs in England, they are handling business on the pitch as usual.

Despite losing to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Final and falling off the Premier League title race, they have just qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, as well as have a FA Cup quarter against Middlesbrough this weekend.

Manchester United taking down names and making a list

Unlike the Blues, the Red Devils have struggled to show the same level of quality on the pitch and as a result, aided Cristiano Ronaldo to his first trophyless season in 17 years following their UCL exit to Atlético de Madrid.

The possibility of finishing the league campaign without qualifying for next season’s top European club tournament has become increasingly likely as they sit outside of a Champions League spot.

The above mentioned Chelsea crisis and United’s in-depth search for a manager has led to them keeping a close eye on the affairs of their rivals and especially on the Tuchel situation.

Their managerial problem is ongoing and so far two names have popped up consistently: Mauricio Pochettino and Erik Ten Hag.

Goal.com believes Thomas Tuchel is not the favourite to land the job or United’s top target, with either of Pochettino and Ten Hag the preferred targets:

"There were fears that the manager and some of his players might seek an immediate way out of the club, as soon as it became clear that the club’s very existence was at stake.However, Tuchel, whose contract runs until 2024, stated: “There is no doubt that I will stay until the end of the season. Absolutely.”The club should have a new owner by then and the hope is that it will once again be business as usual at Stamford Bridge.However, that hasn’t stopped more scaremongering about Manchester United trying to take Tuchel away from Chelsea when interim coach Ralf Rangnick moves into his consultancy role this summer.Although it is true that Tuchel has many admirers at Old Trafford, Mauricio Pochettino and Eric Ten Hag are the leading contenders to be the next permanent manager."

The Mirror, on the other hand, understands the Champions League winner has jumped to the top of the list. They further state that Tuchel himself is keen on listening to what the United hierarchy has to say and what’s up for offer.

"Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel would reportedly be ‘open’ to hearing Manchester United’s pitch amid United’s plans to exploit the chaos at Stamford Bridge by pinching the German.Manchester United’s stunning bid to prise Thomas Tuchel away from Chelsea has been given a major boost – with the Blues boss reportedly ‘open’ to hearing what United have to say amid the ongoing turmoil at Stamford Bridge.Although Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag have been at the forefront of United’s plans for the majority of the tedious process to source a permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, things appear to have changed over the course of the past week. (Via: mirror.com)"

A lot to take from the short turn of events at Stamford Bridge. One thing that must not be overlooked, as Goal.com stated: Thomas Tuchel is a Chelsea man and he bleeds blue. He loves the way they operate from top to bottom and would think twice before joining a big rival to Chelsea.

However, there is no guarantee the new owners will continue with the same business mould when the club is officially sold. The other two managers on the five-man shortlist are Sevilla’s Julen Lopetegui and Spain national team head coach, Luis Enrique.