If Thomas Tuchel accepts the position of England manager following reported discussions with the Football Association (FA), it could create complications for his potential availability to manage Manchester United, should the club decide to part ways with Erik ten Hag.
This could delay any possibility of Tuchel taking the reins at Old Trafford, despite the ongoing rumors linking him to the job.
Erik ten Hag, who recently survived an intense six-hour meeting in London with key Manchester United figures such as Joel Glazer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Sir Dave Brailsford, is still in a precarious position. The meeting was called in response to a series of disappointing performances, with Manchester United securing only seven victories in their last 30 games across both the Premier League and European competitions.
While Ten Hag has been granted more time to improve the team’s fortunes, his job is still far from secure. Should the results not improve quickly, the club may be forced to consider a change in management.
Tuchel, who was let go by Bayern Munich earlier this year, has emerged as one of the leading candidates to replace Ten Hag if Manchester United opts for a new direction. Tuchel boasts an impressive coaching history, having led Chelsea to Champions League glory and also experiencing success with Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
There were even reports of a meeting between Tuchel and Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco to discuss the United job, but these discussions did not lead to an agreement.
However, even if Tuchel decides not to take the England job or becomes unavailable for other reasons, Ratcliffe and INEOS, who have recently made a substantial £1.3 billion investment into Manchester United, have another high-profile manager on their radar—Zinedine Zidane.
According to earlier reports from *Foot Mercato*, Ratcliffe has expressed interest in bringing the legendary French manager to Old Trafford.
Zidane, widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in football, has been without a job since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. During his time at the Spanish club, Zidane enjoyed immense success, winning two La Liga titles and three consecutive UEFA Champions League trophies.
He is reportedly waiting for the right opportunity, with speculation indicating that he is eyeing the position of French national team manager once Didier Deschamps steps down.
However, with Deschamps expected to remain in charge of the French team until the 2026 World Cup, Zidane could be tempted by an offer from Manchester United, especially given the club’s need for a fresh perspective. If Tuchel is not available and Zidane emerges as a viable candidate, Ratcliffe and INEOS may pursue him for the role at Old Trafford.
Zidane’s global reputation, tactical expertise, and decorated managerial career make him an attractive option if Ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United comes to an end.
For now, Manchester United remains focused on backing Ten Hag and giving him the chance to turn the team’s performance around following the October international break. However, if the team’s struggles persist, Ten Hag’s position may come under further scrutiny before the November international break.
Both Tuchel and Zidane remain strong candidates for the job, but much will depend on whether Ten Hag can deliver the improvements needed in the coming weeks and if the club’s leadership deems a managerial change necessary.
