In the end, it was the width of Haji Wright’s boot that denied Coventry a first appearance in the FA Cup final since 1987. The Sky Blues suffered heartbreak with Victor Torp’s 120th-minute winner chalked off by VAR because of an offside involving Wright in the build-up. Coventry had fought back from 3-0 down at Wembley, but the Midlands outfit succumbed to Premier League United during a penalty shootout.
It’s a result that has left Ten Hag’s United career hanging by a thread, with talk the Dutchman is on the brink of being sacked. And according to reports in Germany, the Red Devils have already reached out to his potential replacement.
German outlet Kicker reported that Ratcliffe and co. have held talks with ex-Chelsea man Tuchel, as a possible Premier League return presents itself. The 50-year-old spent 18 months in west London, with his most notable achievement being Chelsea’s 2020/21 Champions League triumph.
Watch all the Premier League and Champions League drama unfold on TNT Sports
Tuchel is hoping to emulate that this season, albeit as manager of Bayern Munich, which is why United are none the wiser about his interest in the Old Trafford job. The report states Tuchel is fully focused on Bayern’s Champions League campaign and any decision will come following the Bundesliga side’s elimination, or if things go well, after a triumph at Wembley.
If Bayern go all the way, it could leave United waiting around for an answer well after their season concludes. The Champions League final is scheduled for June 1, meaning United’s summer plans – if they hold out for Tuchel – could end up being stunted.
Irrespective of the speculation surrounding his future, Ten Hag put on a brave face during his post-match press conference. The ex-Ajax man insisted he was proud of his United players, despite their collapse against Championship side Coventry.
He said: “You need tools to manage this. With all the injuries, we don’t have many tools. We don’t even have a back four in their best positions. At the end of the day, it is an achievement to reach the final two years in a row. I see the mistakes we make but it is not an embarrassment.”
With Champions League qualification all but out of the question too, United’s season will hinge on the FA Cup final at the end of May. For the second consecutive season, Ten Hag’s men face Manchester City in the showpiece event on May 25.
