Man Utd on alert as Thomas Tuchel rejects Bayern Munich U-turn to become free agent

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that he will not be staying at Bayern Munich next season in a potential boost for Manchester United. The former Chelsea boss has been linked with a summer move to Old Trafford in light of speculation over Erik ten Hag’s future in the dugout.

It was announced earlier this year that Tuchel would be leaving Bayern at the end of the season after overseeing their first trophyless campaign in over a decade. However, it was recently reported that he was being lined up to stay at the German giants after they were rejected by four different managerial candidates.

Ralf Rangnick, Oliver Glasner, Xabi Alonso and Julian Nagelsmann all reportedly turned Bayern down, leading club chiefs to discuss the possibility of keeping Tuchel on for another season. The 50-year-old has since insisted that he will not be staying at the Allianz Arena despite holding talks over the prospect of a U-turn in the last few weeks.

Speaking on Friday morning, Tuchel said: “This is my last press conference as FC Bayern manager. There were talks, but we didn’t reach an agreement so the decision of February still stands.

“The feedback from recent weeks was the foundation for us having a discussion to stay and continue together, but we couldn’t reach an agreement. I won’t name the reasons. I am leaving Bayern.”

Tuchel’s decision to walk away from Bayern could make him a top candidate to manage United next season if Ten Hag is relieved of his duties. The Dutchman is under serious pressure to keep his job at Old Trafford with the team have failed to make any progress in his second season at the club.

The outgoing Bayern boss is keen on returning to the Premier League and would be open to managing United, according to Bild. It is said that negotiations have already taken place, with his representatives thought to be in contact with United chiefs to discuss the possibility of a move.

United are said to have plenty of other irons in the fire, with England boss Gareth Southgate also reportedly on their list of managerial targets. He remains tied down to England until the end of the calendar year, meaning United would have to agree a compensation package with the FA in order to appoint him.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has also emerged as an outsider for the United job after leading the Blues to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League. He already knows the club well, having worked under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a first-team coach before joining Ipswich in 2021.