As Manchester United set about appointing their fifth permanent manager in the last nine years, two of the candidates linked with the job, Erik ten Hag (Ajax) and Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea), have commented on the speculation.
An idea put forward by ex-Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher caused plenty of stir within the footballing fraternity last week. Now a TV pundit, he wrote that United should look no further than the hot mess currently brewing at Chelsea for their next managerial appointment and steal the Blues’ manager Tuchel amid the constant uncertainty about the club.
Rumors of the Red Devils’ interest in the German quickly followed, but he has since come out and shut down any rumors linking him with the Old Trafford hot seat – and reiterated his desire to stay at Chelsea despite their troubles.
“Do you feel me less committed to the club or less involved in the club? Absolutely not,”
“I have said many times that I love to be here and this club has everything it needs to make me happy. There is no need. We have plenty of reasons to stay at the moment.”
said Tuchel.
Incidentally, another one of United’s managerial candidates, Erik ten Hag, was also asked about his links to the vacant job.
The Dutchman is thought to be one of the United’s two preferred candidates – the other being Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino – but he, too, distanced himself from the job for the time being.
“I am just focused on this season. All energy is being put in the current squad. I don’t think about next season. I want to get the maximum out of the current season, we can still win two trophies.”
Ten Hag said.
While two of their rumored candidates have refused to enter speculation at the moment, a change, nevertheless, remains on the horizon. Incumbent interim manager Ralf Rangnick is expected to leave his role on the sidelines and take one in the backroom – but it remains to be seen how big his influence over his potential successor is going to be.
