Chelsea have big advantage over Man Utd to bring Thomas Tuchel back to Stamford Bridge

Chelsea may have a significant advantage over Manchester United if the two Premier League titans go head-to-head for Thomas Tuchel this summer. Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag could both lose their jobs as a consequence for underwhelming seasons.

Pochettino is due for a meeting with the Chelsea board at the end of the season. His players showed they are still fighting for him in a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa last weekend after coming from two goals down but the Argentine may still be a casualty of another troubled season at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have won only 13 of 33 Premier League matches in Pochettino’s first 12 months at the club while conceding 59 times – more than twice as much as leaders Arsenal who hammered them 5-0 recently. Ten Hag’s United are only six points ahead of the Blues having lost 12 times in the league alone this term.

They finished third and won the Carabao Cup in Ten Hag’s debut season at Old Trafford, ending on 75 points, but are on course to end with 61 points this time around. While they can still win the FA Cup, the Dutchman could pay the price for some dreadful performances and results in his second campaign.

If both Pochettino and Ten Hag are axed, that would set the stage for Chelsea and United to fight it out for Tuchel. The Bayern Munich head coach will be by far the most accomplished unemployed manager on the market this summer. He won the Champions League against the odds with Chelsea in 2021.

And he is looking to guide Bayern to a European Cup this year too despite his imminent departure. Both Chelsea and United have been credited with an interest in the German tactician. As well as his previous ties to Chelsea, the Londoners have another edge on United if they look to pursue their 50-year-old former boss.

The Daily Mail say United will not make any decision on Ten Hag’s future until after the FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday 25 May. Chelsea’s final game, meanwhile, comes on Sunday 19 May when they host Bournemouth on the last day of the Premier League season.

The sit-down meeting with Pochettino comes after that but the minds of the Chelsea powerbrokers will likely be made up in advance. If they decide it’s best to part ways, they may reach out to Tuchel’s representatives beforehand to sound out his interest in a Stamford Bridge return.

If Chelsea do opt to sack Pochettino immediately after the climax of the campaign, that would offer them a chance to approach Tuchel with a concrete offer before United can. Tuchel has hinted previously he’d love to go back because of his love for the club.

He was sacked by Todd Boehly in September 2022 but BILD say he would welcome the opportunity to prove himself to the American with a second stint in England’s capital. Since Tuchel was dismissed, Graham Potter struggled in an eight-month tenure and form did not improve under interim boss Frank Lampard. Pochettino has only shown fleeting signs of promise.

Chelsea ended 12th last season and could still be consigned to another bottom-half finish this term despite spending over £1billion on new players in two years under Boehly. But Tuchel was immensely popular with the club’s supporters and if a new manager is required for next season, he will feature high up on the shortlist.

As well as Tuchel, United also like the look of ex-Chelsea boss Potter who is a target for Ajax, while England manager Gareth Southgate will not be available until late July at the earliest. 

Missing out on Tuchel to their Premier League rivals would be a sore one to take for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co. as they look to restore the Red Devils to their former glories – but it will be their own doing after delaying their decision on Ten Hag’s future.