Thomas Tuchel could face Uefa BAN handing Man Utd major dilemma over managerial target
THOMAS TUCHEL could face a Uefa ban for his Real Madrid ref rage.
And that might mean the German is unable to take charge of Manchester United‘s next European game if he gets the Old Trafford job.
Tuchel was left fuming last night after Real Madrid produced a stunning late comeback to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 to reach the Champions League final where they’ll face Borussia Dortmund.
The former Chelsea chief is still the bookies’ favourite to replace Erik ten Hag despite Bayern Munich’s failure to win a trophy for the first time since 2012.
And the threat of a Euro ban is now hanging over him after he launched a post-match attack on the Polish officials after Wednesday’s controversial exit.
Assistant ref Tomasz Listkiewicz raised the flag against Noussair Mazraoui when the ball was lofted into the Madrid box in stoppage time.
As the ball was nodded down by Thomas Muller for Matthijs de Ligt to fire home, 2022 World Cup Final ref Szymon Marciniak blew the whistle, ruling out the goal.
Video images suggest the Bayern player was onside but the call was so tight that the flag should not have gone up so soon.
Bayern players were flabbergasted, with Dutch defender de Ligt revealing both officials had apologised to him.
In his post-match press conference, Tuchel said “It’s against every rule of modern football.
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“He did it against Alfonso Davies as well, when he could never be sure.
“To have the balls, the guts, to raise the flag was a huge call and the wrong call.
“Then the referee had the chance not to whistle but took the decision to whistle.
“That would not have happened on the other side.”
Uefa’s Control and Disciplinary Body could now step in and charge Tuchel for accusing the two officials of bias against his side.
A decision is likely by the start of next week, although the fact that both officials did admit to an error is likely to see Tuchel avoid any action.
Even if he were to be punished, it still might not affect him next season if he takes over at United.
The Red Devils are currently sitting eighth in the Premier League table and face a fight to qualify for European football via the league.
But they do also have the opportunity to reach the Europa League when they take on Man City in the FA Cup Final at Wembley on May 25.
Meanwhile, fans joked that Tuchel had “passed his Man Utd audition” after a number of substitutions backfired spectacularly at the Bernabeu.
Bayern looked to be going through after a rocket from Alphonso Davies put them ahead with just 22 minutes to go.
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.”
They looked to be comfortable heading towards full time and holding Madrid at bay until disaster struck.
Real sub Joselu grabbed an 88th-minute equaliser after latching on to a mistake from Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Then seconds later the ex-Stoke City and Newcastle flop finished from six yards to win it 2-1.
The 34-year-old Spaniard’s introduction proved to be a masterstroke – but that was not the only substitution that proved to be a major talking point.
Firstly, Tuchel brought on Kim Min-jae for attacker Leroy Sane on 76 minutes despite the South Korean’s nightmare in last week’s first leg, switching to three at the back.
But it was the decision to replace 44-goal top scorer Kane, who is still waiting for his first-piece of silverware, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on 86 minutes that left everyone baffled.
However, Tuchel told TNT Sports afterwards that the controversial changes were due to injury.
He said: “We started with a front four and all four has to go out with injury or cramp.
“Kane was having back problems, it was no longer possible. The front four all said they had to go.”
