Revealed: Why Thomas Tuchel turned down the chance to replace Erik ten Hag as Man Utd manager

Tuchel met with Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe while the club were reviewing Erik ten Hag's position following a poor 2023-24 league campaign. The German coach was leaving Bayern Munich but eventually ruled himself out of the running to replace the Dutchman as he did not align with the Red Devils' transfer policy, according to The Mirror.

According to German outlet Bild, there was almost an agreement in place for the former Chelsea boss to take over. Pundit Marcel 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.'"

Tuchel has been used to spending big in his career. Having managed Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, he would have required a big budget at Old Trafford, something the new ownership have not been keen on. There is a plan in place to reduce the wage bill at Manchester United, but Tuchel would have likely preferred to do the opposite by bringing in ready-made talent capable of winning straight away.

The 51-year-old remains without a job, but will likely slot back into management when the right opportunity arises. He left Bayern by mutual consent after forfeiting the club's 10-year run of winning the Bundesliga to Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso.