Former Premier League star names manager who could solve Man Utd’s problems but warns Zidane would reject club
MANCHESTER UNITED need to bring in Thomas Tuchel as their new manager as he is the “solution” to their problems.
That is according to Premier League hero William Gallas, who suggested Tuchel, 51, could succeed at United just like he did at Chelsea.
The Red Devils are off to a slow start, losing two of their three opening Premier League games and manager Erik ten Hag is already under fire.
Ten Hag barely managed to hold on to the top job last season thanks to his FA Cup triumph over rivals Manchester City, but he revealed club chiefs informed him they looked for a replacement.
The Dutchman even admitted that Tuchel was among his bosses’ top candidates.
Gallas believes the German tactician would be able to turn things around at Old Trafford if he got at least two years in charge.
The ex-Bayern Munich boss, who is now a free agent, won the Champions League in his first season with the Blues in 2021 as well as the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup.
Gallas told Gambling Zone: “Thomas Tuchel could be the solution to Manchester United’s problems.
“If he came into the club and was given time, given two years to create his team, the club would be in a completely different position to the one it is in now.
“At Chelsea Tuchel was very organised, the players respected him and he won the Champions League as well as a couple of other trophies, you can see why he was a success and maybe he wasn’t given enough time to Chelsea to turn things around.”
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Gallas, though, is adamant that United should completely forget Zinedine Zidane as a potential successor to Ten Hag.
The ex-Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham ace insists Zidane won’t be keen on the job because he can’t speak English and has his eyes fixed on France’s national team.
Gallas added: “Manchester United fans should forget about Zinedine Zidane, he won’t take the job and the main reason is that he doesn’t speak English.
“He won’t want to put himself in that situation where he would need to learn the language and I think that’s fair.
“He needs the players to understand what he expects from them and to have that relationship where he can have fun and joke around.
“He won’t accept the job if an offer came in and I don’t think we will see him in the Premier League any time soon.
“I think he is still waiting for the France national team job. He won everything there is to win with Real Madrid and he only has one job on his mind now.”
Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.