Report: United monitoring Tuchel, Lopetegui as managerial search goes on

Manchester United are keeping tabs on Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel and Sevilla’s Julen Lopetegui as they draw up a list of candidates to become the club’s full-time manager this summer, The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson reports.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax’s Erik ten Hag continue to be linked to the role, along with Luis Enrique. However, the latter could be difficult to bring aboard at the end of the season because he intends to oversee Spain at the World Cup later this year.

Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently in charge of Real Madrid, could also be pursued by United if they’re unsuccessful in landing their other targets, according to a report earlier in March.

Ralf Rangnick, the Red Devils’ interim boss, is set to move into an advisory position when the 2021-22 term is over.

Tuchel emerged as a surprise candidate in recent weeks due to the problems at Chelsea. The west London club’s disgraced owner, Roman Abramovich, has been hit with government-imposed sanctions due to his association with Russian President Vladimir Putin. That’s left Chelsea to deal with numerous restrictions, including a block on ticket sales, frozen television and prize money, and a £20,000 limit on the team’s travel costs for away matches.

Tuchel has vowed to remain with Chelsea until the end of the campaign, but wouldn’t commit to the club beyond that point when quizzed on his future over the weekend. “Everything can change,” he said.

Since he succeeded Frank Lampard at Chelsea in January 2021, Tuchel has led the Blues to silverware in the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup. Tuchel’s Chelsea also lost in finals for the FA Cup and League Cup.

Lopetegui, meanwhile, has seen his pursuit of La Liga glory fall away in recent weeks as Sevilla are now 10 points behind table-topping Real Madrid. However, his side takes on West Ham United in the second leg of its Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday and is aiming to win the competition for a second time under its Spanish tactician.

The 55-year-old drew widespread attention when he took Spain to the 2018 World Cup following a dominant qualification campaign, but he was released from that role just days before the tournament began due to him negotiating a three-year contract to manage Real Madrid.

He still took the job at Real Madrid but was dismissed by October 2018. Lopetegui was appointed Sevilla boss in June 2019.