Sir Jim Ratcliffe facing fresh Man Utd headache after ruthless Sir Alex Ferguson call

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is facing backlash after making the decision to end Sir Alex Ferguson’s multi-million pound contract to continue his role an global ambassador at Manchester United

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to miss out on his ideal candidate to replace beleaguered Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, as Thomas Tuchel looks set to take the England job.

It marks a challenging 24 hours for the United co-owner, who’s ruthlessly decided to end Sir Alex Ferguson’s reported £2million-a-year contract as a global ambassador of the club. The decision to cut ties with Ferguson, 82, has been met with backlash from supporters, with Ratcliffe having explained to the legendary former United manager during a face-to-face meeting that the club are seeking to reduce costs.

Later on Tuesday, it emerged that the Football Association have entered advanced talks with Tuchel to succeed interim boss Lee Carsley in the Wembley dugout. The ex-Chelsea manager has been out of work since May when he left Bayern Munich and is poised to coach at international level for the first time.

England chiefs also reached out to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola but Tuchel’s availability and interest in the job has made him the leading candidate. The news comes as a blow for Ratcliffe, who met with Tuchel over the summer when United first considered replacing Ten Hag.

The two parties’ visions ultimately didn’t align but after Ten Hag started the season with just three wins in 11 games, the Dutchman’s position has come under increased scrutiny. Ratcliffe and his fellow United executives met for a lengthy meeting last Tuesday, with Ten Hag’s future part of their agenda.

A report from the Manchester Evening News last week claimed that the Red Devils were already lining Tuchel up ahead of making a decision on Ten Hag. Talk of that went quiet, however, after it transpired that the 54-year-old would remain in charge for Saturday’s Premier League home game against Brentford.

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It was claimed in the summer that Tuchel, 51, was Ratcliffe’s first-choice pick to replace Ten Hag, but now that option appears to be off the table. Club legend Peter Schmeichel believes that the German has the credentials to manage United, despite his acrimonious exits from both Bayern and Chelsea.

“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,” Schmeichel told David Seaman’s podcast, Seaman Says.

“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.”

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