Man Utd make one of “best coaches in the world” a top target

With Manchester United set to name an interim coach to see out the campaign, it is gearing up for a potentially seismic summer in the managerial market, not least among those in the Premier League.

Chelsea have already cut ties with Enzo Maresca, although the Italian is being lined up to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, should the Catalan genius depart after a decade at the Etihad.

Thomas Frank and Arne Slot are both under scrutiny at Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, respectively, while a string of top-flight managers are also out of contract in June, namely Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola.

There are then echoes of the madness of ten years ago, a summer that saw Guardiola and Jose Mourinho rock up in Manchester, while Antonio Conte arrived at Chelsea. Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, had already been snapped up just months earlier at Liverpool.

The problem now, however, is that in an age of Jason Wilcox’s and technical directors, the era of the ‘super-coach’ looks to be coming to an end. But could United still wait it out to land the last of a dying breed?

Man Utd make Eddie Howe alternative a top target

By all accounts, INEOS will plump for a familiar face to steady the ship until the end of the season, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still the leading candidate for the vacancy.

In the view of the Norwegian’s friend and former teammate, Roy Keane, however, United shouldn’t be retreading old ground for the long-term, with the Irishman highlighting Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe as his preferred pick on Thursday evening.

Already sounded out by Chelsea, prior to Liam Rosenior’s capture, Howe has been linked with the Old Trafford post, following a fine four and a half years at St James’ Park.

A Premier League-proven coach, the Englishman would be a relatively safe bet, although the club might well have set their sights higher, with talkSPORT’s Alex Crook suggesting that Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel is a leading candidate.

Reports have suggested that Marseille’s Roberto De Zerbi also leads the way right now, but according to Crook, Tuchel is the figure that keeps being mentioned, having been linked with the job back in the summer of 2024:

“The name I keep hearing come the summer is Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, very much at the top of Manchester United’s list,” Crook said.

“Now, he turned down the opportunity before becoming England manager, but I don’t think that means necessarily that he wouldn’t entertain the idea.”

Why Tuchel would be a big upgrade on Howe for Man Utd

Keane appears to see the wisdom in turning to a figure like Howe, although for all his fine work, there is a lack of glamour surrounding the former Bournemouth boss, with there perhaps David Moyes vibes to such interest.

Yes, the 48-year-old has claimed silverware after leading Newcastle to Carabao Cup glory back in March, but his ability to manage at the truly elite level is still up for debate.

The same, however, cannot be said of Tuchel, with the German genius enjoying success at a string of Europe’s elite clubs, memorably turning Chelsea into Champions League winners just six months after replacing Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge.

Still only 52, the current England manager has already won titles in both France and Germany with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, having also enjoyed fruitful spells at both Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.

As already stated, there appears to be a dearth of truly elite, commanding managers on the market, although Tuchel really is the cream of the crop, hailed as “one of the best coaches in the world” by the FA’s Mark Bullingham after replacing Gareth Southgate in late 2024.

The problem, frustratingly, would be that United would have to wait until after the World Cup to land their ‘top target, although it could prove a straightforward deal thereafter, considering his contract expires with England this summer.

Tuchel was previously interviewed by INEOS amid the debate over whether to sack Erik ten Hag in 2024, although having just come straight out of an intense spell at Bayern, he passed up the chance, with reports also suggesting that he had concerns over the club’s transfer policy.

That latter fact would still potentially be an issue, but if Wilcox and co are to give anyone keys to the castle, it should surely be Tuchel.

Howe, undoubtedly, has his merits having thrived amid something of an underdog status with both Bournemouth and Newcastle, although whether he can make the step up to such a pressurised environment remains to be seen.

As for Tuchel, his tenures tend to be short and sweet, but his winning credentials can’t be denied. INEOS have preached about seeking the best in class in every department, why not finally do so in the dugout too?

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