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Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has insisted that Thomas Tuchel “fits the bill” as a possible replacement for under-fire manager Erik ten Hag.
United are expected to assess Ten Hag’s situation and make a decision on his future during the ongoing international break.
The Red Devils have endured an underwhelming start to the season that has seen them pick up only eight points from their opening seven Premier League fixtures.
Since scoring a late winner to beat Fulham on the opening day of the season, United have won just one of their six top-flight matches.
The team is currently in 14th position in the standings. Patience with Ten Hag is wearing thin but according to Schmeichel, the Dutchman should be afforded more time to try and turn the situation around.
Speaking on the Seaman Says podcast, Schmeichel also expressed his admiration for Tuchel and tipped him to succeed at Old Trafford, if he were to be appointed.
The 1999 treble winner said, “With the last two jobs Thomas Tuchel had, at Chelsea and at Bayern Munich, he was at those two clubs at the wrong time.”
“Chelsea was a mess when he was there with the new owners coming in. At Bayern it was similar because they changed the whole leadership of the club.”
“I like Thomas Tuchel, I really like him. Being around the Champions League, talking to him and interviewing him, listening to him talk to his players in the technical area, he just looks like someone who would be a good manager for Manchester United.”
Schmeichel added, “I don’t think he got his way at Chelsea and I know for sure he didn’t get his way at Bayern Munich. I just think he’s got such a great aura around him that he fits the bill for United.”
“But, Erik ten Hag is still the manager and I will support him because I want the club to do well. I don’t want United to be the club that changes the manager all the time. I hope they stick with Erik because we need consistency now. Let him have a fair go at this.”
“He’s been hampered by a lot of things over the last two years, now he’s got his own players, let him show us what the plan is and what he can do with the football club. If that doesn’t work then maybe then we talk about a change.”
When asked whether he is confident Ten Hag remains capable of delivering success at United, Schmeichel replied that he doesn’t know for sure.
“I don’t think the owners think he is the one because we saw they were speaking to other managers in the summer and even recently there has been linked with Thomas Tuchel. I don’t know. If they decide to change the manager then fair enough, but I just don’t see the point in doing that right now.”
The former goalkeeper also called for patience with regard to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival at United.
Schmeichel explained that it won’t be easy to restore United to the pinnacle of English and European football and so, the INEOS billionaire should be afforded more time.
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