Manchester United fans have reacted to Thomas Tuchel’s “disasterclass” as Bayern Munich were knocked out of the Champions League amid reports contact has been made with the German over replacing Erik ten Hag.
Bayern will go trophyless for the first time in 12 years after being knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid. The focus after the game was on Tuchel’s decision to take off Harry Kane with Bayern narrowly leading 3-2 on aggregate, only to see Madrid score twice in quick succession at the death to reach the final.
Tuchel is leaving Bayern at the end of the season and is reportedly in the frame to replace Ten Hag as manager, and it has been claimed that contact has been made with the current incumbent seemingly certain to be sacked.
Rio Ferdinand spoke to Tuchel before the game, joking that he spoke to him about the United job. He told TNT Sports: “I just said good luck to him, he’s so relaxed and he’s such a calm character.
On the topic of United, Ferdinand added: “That was the final bit of the talk! Where are you going?! … I think he’s still got enough in the tank. No matter what happens today, he’ll still have some big offers.”
After the game, however, pundits and United fans were less than impressed. Ex-Bayern and United midfielder Owen Hargreaves said: “I’ll tell you what was unexpected, Harry Kane going off the pitch. That’s one of the biggest subs I’ve ever seen in a game of football of that magnitude.
“To take off a guy that’s scored 44 goals, who is the most durable player pretty much anywhere … You cannot take him off. There’s five minutes left in the game, there’s ten minutes of extra-time, 15 minutes. I said to Scholesy straight away, they’re going to score.
“That’s one of the biggest calls. I love Thomas Tuchel. I don’t know why they made that call … Bayern had it in their hands and they let it go. The mistake from Neuer obviously but everybody’s going to be talking about the subs, you cannot take Harry Kane off.”
Paul Scholes added: “I thought Tuchel’s substitutions were strange. Kane was strange. Even if they get one goal, there’s still extra-time, penalties to come as well, you know how strong he is.”
I’d say Tuchel has passed the United audition perfectly. Hire him.
Fellow onlookers and United fans were in agreement over what was quickly dubbed a “disasterclass” from Tuchel.
Journalist Peter Hall joked: “Understand Tuchel is now below Roy Keane and Phil Neville on Manchester United’s managerial shortlist after those horrendous substitutions.”
A United fan added: “Thomas Tuchel doing his best Manchester United 23/24 impression by conceding 2 in quick succession. “This guy has passed the audition.”
Another post read: “I’d say Tuchel has passed the United audition perfectly. Hire him.”
Matthew Stranger added: Thomas Tuchel just passed his audition for the United job with flying colours.”
Finally, one post read: “This was the perfect audition for Tuchel to Man United, he has all the qualities, bottling a lead, taking out effective players thinking he has won, this is elite TenHagBall.”
