Man Utd target Thomas Tuchel drops huge hint over future as he opens up on ‘very, very special time’ in Premier League
THOMAS TUCHEL has hinted at a return to the Premier League after describing his time in England as “very, very special”.
The German coach, 50, is preparing for his Bayern Munich side to take on Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening after the two sides played out a 2-2 draw last week.
The winner will meet Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1, but Bayern have already decided irrespective of whether they win the Champions League that Tuchel will depart in the summer.
It comes after they failed to win the Bundesliga title for the first time since 2012 as Bayer Leverkusen cantered to the crown.
But Tuchel, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, is already being linked with a move to Manchester United.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is under huge pressure after a dismal second season at Old Trafford.
And Tuchel, favourite to replace Ten Hag, has now spoken about the possibility of a second stint in the Premier League.
When asked by TNT Sports where he will be next season, he said: “It’s very, very, very unlikely that it’s at Bayern.
“We took this position and there’s a pact we are not doubting, the initiative came from the club and so it is and I’m fine with it.”
Pressed on a Premier League return, he then added: “I’d rather not answer.
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“But it is no secret that I loved it at Chelsea, I loved it in England and I loved it in the Premier League for sure.
“It was a very, very special time in England.”
Tuchel won the German Cup with Borussia Dortmund in 2017 before he joined Paris Saint-Germain the following year.
He won two Ligue 1 titles and one French Cup with PSG, while he also guided them to the 2020 Champions League final before they were beaten by Bayern Munich.
He was appointed as Frank Lampard’s successor at Chelsea in January 2021 and lifted the Champions League just four months later.
Tuchel won 60 of his 100 matches at Stamford Bridge but was dismissed in September 2022 with the club sixth in the Premier League.
Pundits' verdict on Ten Hag's future
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag's Manchester United future?
Michael Owen – He has to go
“He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
“If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”