Manchester United are unlikely to appoint Thomas Tuchel or Mauricio Pochettino if they sack Erik ten Hag, sources have told ESPN.
Tuchel and Pochettino have been among the candidates under consideration as potential replacements if United decide to part company with Ten Hag.
Tuchel’s representatives were sounded out before the end of the season and further meetings have taken place over the last two weeks.
However, sources have told ESPN that Tuchel is no longer in the running to replace Ten Hag if there is a vacancy at Old Trafford.
There are concerns he is not the right fit for United’s new structure and, according to a source, incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth wants a “yes” manager rather than someone to challenge the recruitment department over the make-up of the squad.
The decision to break off talks has been described as “mutual”.
A source has told ESPN that United have also cooled on the idea of appointing Pochettino, who is a free agent after leaving Chelsea, with the Argentinian now viewed as an outsider.
As well as Tuchel and Pochettino, United have also made contact with Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi.
One candidate, Kieran McKenna, has decided to stay at Ipswich Town after agreeing a new long-term contract at Portman Road while another, Gareth Southgate, has indicated he is only focused on leading England at Euro 2024, which kicks off in Germany on Friday.
United are hopeful of concluding their end-of-season review this week although club sources insist there is no set timeframe for the process.
Ten Hag, according to a source, remains in the dark about whether he will continue as manager.
Sources have told ESPN that United remain convinced they are on track with their summer plans despite delaying a decision on the manager’s position. Club bosses have assured representatives of senior players that efforts to strengthen the squad are on course even while Ten Hag’s future is up in the air.
Sources have told ESPN that work on incomings and outgoings is being done by technical director Jason Wilcox, director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves and chief scout Steve Brown.
Both Hargreaves and Brown have spoken to clubs and representatives over the last week amid efforts to bring in new players.
Priority is being given to strikers and centre-backs although shortlists of targets have been drawn up for all positions.
There are continuing doubts over Ten Hag’s future as INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford leads a thorough end-of-season review, which has now stretched into a third week.
Sources have told ESPN that United have been approached by representatives of a number of current players to enquire about the status of the review, Ten Hag’s position and progress in the transfer market.
A representative of one player has told ESPN that a decision will not be made on his own future until it’s known who the manager will be next season. United remain confident they will have a positive summer, although sources have told ESPN that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and acting CEO Jean Claude-Blanc have admitted to staff that the recruitment department “will not be up to full speed” until Ashworth is in place as sporting director.
Sources have told ESPN that United are hoping to boost their summer budget by agreeing permanent transfers for Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood. The club will consider offers of around £40 million ($51m) for Sancho and Greenwood, who spent last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund and Getafe respectively.
There has been significant loan interest in both players, but sources have told ESPN that United are pushing for permanent deals.