Erik ten Hag to Bayern Munich?! Man Utd manager emerges as shock candidate to succeed Thomas Tuchel after several options reject Bundesliga side

Journalist Christian Falk has reported that Bayern continue to weigh up their options, with sporting director Max Eberl said to be assessing four candidates. Ten Hag is one of them, but Julen Lopetegui, out of work since leaving Wolves in 2023, and Benfica's Roger Schmidt are the others, though the latter has ruled himself out. Bayern have long been linked with Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi too, but it appears that his preference is to stay put.

Bayern made the decision to part with Tuchel in late February, allowing him to continue for the rest of the season. Xabi Alonso was a major target before he opted to remain loyal to Bayer Leverkusen, while Ralf Rangnick pulled out of the running recently. Julian Nagelsmann, sacked by Bayern in 2023, was another candidate before he signed a fresh contract with Germany's national team.

Ten Hag, whose future at United continues to be the subject of uncertainty and speculation, has worked at Bayern before. The Dutchman was in charge of Bayern Munich II during Pep Guardiola's first two seasons at the club from 2013 onwards. It was only Ten Hag's second managerial position, later joining Utrecht in 2015 and then Ajax in 2017.

Tuchel could yet end 2023-24 with a second Champions League title in the space of four seasons if Bayern prevail against Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final in the coming days. The tie is finely balanced at 2-2. Even if he does deliver European glory, though, Bayern's other sporting director Christoph Freund has already confirmed "there is no chance" of them reversing their decision regarding his exit.