March 17, (THEWILL) – Manchester United’s management shortlist for substantive club manager has been cut down to five choice candidates, with Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, presently leading the pack.
Officials at the Old Trafford club are eager to make a definitive decision on their new permanent coach as soon as possible, and the process has reached an “advanced stage” with the five-man shortlist.
Mauricio Pochettino, Erik ten Hag, Julen Lopetegui, and Luis Enrique are those being considered alongside Tuchel.
United is aiming to take advantage of the current chaos at Stamford Bridge by recruiting the manager of their Premier League opponent. Ralf Rangnick, the club’s temporary manager, is attempting to entice Tuchel to Old Trafford with his “close ties” to his fellow German.
Tuchel has never missed an opportunity to express how satisfied he was at Chelsea, but the club’s future in west London remains utterly unclear, and looks far from a resolution any time soon. The involvement of the UK government and the restrictions on the club have not helped, either.
Although the German has committed his short-term future to the Blues by stating that he will be remaining at least until the end of the season, he is unable to provide any further assurances due to the club’s uncertainty. There are player contracts that have been hampered by restrictions and very little can be done until some of the restrictions are eased.
Yet, Tuchel leaving Chelsea and joining their rivals would be a huge shock. But, for Manchester United, it is a move that would make a wise and ruthless choice.
Tuchel rapidly turned the current Chelsea team into champions, and he has the ability to do the same at Old Trafford, while also giving the club a much-needed identity, which is has lacked since the days of the inimitable Sir Alex Ferguson, who turned the Theatre of Dreams into an almost impregnable fortress that terrified opponents.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
