Todd Boehly could serve up an early blow to the Sir Jim Ratcliffe project at Manchester United with Chelsea’s next managerial appointment. Boehly has already sacked two permanent Stamford Bridge bosses, with Mauricio Pochettino’s job now rumoured to be at risk
As far as qualification for the Champions League is concerned, it’s been a season to forget for both Chelsea and United. While Chelsea slipped out of the race early doors, United had harboured hopes of finishing inside the qualification spots, but the Red Devils now sit 13 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with five games to play.
While the Old Trafford outfit could still go on and secure the FA Cup this season, talk of Ratcliffe pulling the plug and sacking Ten Hag has started to pop up. Should that prove the case, reports from German outlet Kicker have suggested that United could target former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel as Ten Hag’s replacement.
Tuchel – who won the Champions League with Chelsea – is currently in charge of Bayern Munich, but the tactician is expected to leave his post at the end of the campaign. It would open the door to a Premier League return, with the same report revealing Ratcliffe does rate the 50-year-old highly.
However, Boehly could stunt the Ten Hag succession plan by swooping in and hiring Tuchel instead – something the German is believed to be open to. SportBILD reported last month that if Boehly extended an olive branch to Tuchel, he might consider a shock return to west London.
Tuchel left Stamford Bridge under unceremonious circumstances, with talk of a fractious relationship between the pair having formed. Despite this, Tuchel has remained outspoken about his love for the capital club, penning an emotional letter to the Chelsea faithful after his departure.
It read: “This is one of the most difficult statements I have ever had to write — and it is one which I hoped I would not need to do for many years. I am devastated that my time at Chelsea has come to an end.