England boss Thomas Tuchel’s view on Sir Alex Ferguson legacy at Man Utd speaks volumes

Thomas Tuchel was heavily linked with the Manchester United job before being appointed England’s new manager, despite his understanding of Sir Alex Ferguson’s influence on the club

Thomas Tuchel knows what it takes to be Manchester United manager – but England have nabbed him first.

Tuchel, 51, has signed a £5m-per-year contract which puts him in charge of the Three Lions from January of next year until the 2026 World Cup. The FA made their move for Tuchel amid links to United, who’ve considered sacking Erik ten Hag this month.

Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe even had dinner with Tuchel in Monaco over the summer, with the German out of work since leaving Bayern Munich since May. Ultimately, though, Ratcliffe and club chiefs stuck with Ten Hag, who’s managed just three wins in 11 games so far this season.

United’s dire form led to claims that Tuchel was being lined up, with the former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund boss potentially still interested in the job. Tuchel notably made a visit to Old Trafford last December, as his Bayern side ran out comfortable 1-0 winners in the Champions League.

Pre-match, the 51-year-old spoke eloquently about the pressures Ten Hag was facing even then as well as the looming legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson. “I felt with Manchester United there was always a lot of noise, a lot of pundits are ex-players from Manchester United, you have this legacy from Sir Alex Ferguson which creates a lot of pressure, a lot of expectation,” Tuchel explained.

“It tells you you work at a big club, big expectation, big success. All of us here in Bayern and my colleagues at Manchester United want to achieve the same things. I would not say it’s an advantage for us, it’s common that little things become bigger than at other clubs or the talking about it is noisy.

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“I think within, I can only assume they coach in an environment where players grow and reach their top level. That’s what we’re trying to do – instill rules and a winning culture. It’s evident to see if I watch Manchester United play. The results maybe don’t speak the same language but the team is full of quality and the club has a winning culture.”

Tuchel’s comments impressed supporters and they’re even more relevant after Ratcliffe made the controversial decision to end Ferguson’s contract as a global ambassador for United. The United chief delivered the news to Ferguson during a face-to-face meeting at Old Trafford, with Ratcliffe telling the legendary ex-Red Devils manager that he’s seeking to reduce costs.

The topic of Ferguson’s legacy and his involvement in the club is once again being debated. Had Tuchel been appointed, it seems that he wouldn’t have been rocked by Ferguson and his era’s influence inside and outside of the club.

Former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel certainly believes that Tuchel has what’s required to manage the Red Devils. Appearing on David Seaman’s podcast, Seaman Says, Schmeichel said: “I really like Thomas Tuchel.

“Being around the Champions League and interviewing him, listening to what he’s saying when he’s in the technical area, and his personality, he just looks like somebody who could be a good manager at Manchester United. I don’t think he had his way at Chelsea. I know for sure he didn’t have his way at Bayern. I just think he’s got such a great aura around him that he fits a bill.”

But Tuchel is now taken.

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