October 16th 2024.
Thomas Tuchel had quite the reputation in the world of football even before landing the coveted England job. In fact, Manchester United had expressed their interest in him as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag, should the need arise. However, before the German coach could even consider the offer, he had already reached an agreement to become England's next permanent manager.
Many were taken aback when the 51-year-old was announced as Gareth Southgate's successor on Tuesday. After all, there were other names being thrown around as more likely candidates, such as interim coach Lee Carsley, Eddie Howe, and even the renowned Pep Guardiola. Additionally, Tuchel had been heavily linked with a return to club management after his departure from Bayern Munich last season.
Manchester United, in particular, was very keen on securing Tuchel's services and had even held talks with him during the summer. However, no deal could be reached, and they ultimately decided to extend ten Hag's contract. This decision has since been questioned, especially as Manchester United has had a rough start to the season, currently sitting at 14th place in the Premier League with only two wins and five goals scored in seven games.
Interestingly, The Times reports that Manchester United's interest in Tuchel did not wane despite their previous unsuccessful negotiations. In fact, they had made it clear to him in recent weeks that he was their top choice to replace ten Hag if the need arose. However, Tuchel was not willing to wait around for whatever offer the Red Devils had in store for him. Instead, he has now been confirmed as England's new manager, with a contract worth £5m a year.
The German coach will take charge in January 2025, signing an 18-month contract that will see him lead England into the 2026 World Cup in Canada, USA, and Mexico. According to The Times, AC Milan was also interested in bringing Tuchel on board, highlighting just how sought-after he was before accepting the FA's offer. It's safe to say that Tuchel had no shortage of options before making his decision.
Despite all the speculation and interest from top clubs, Tuchel has chosen to take on the challenge of managing England. Fans and critics alike will be eagerly anticipating his first game in charge and the journey ahead towards the World Cup. As for Manchester United, they may regret not securing Tuchel's services when they had the chance. But for now, all eyes are on Tuchel as he prepares to lead England to glory.
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