Manchester United reportedly told Thomas Tuchel he was their number one target if they needed a new manager just weeks ago.
Tuchel has agreed a deal to become England‘s next manager and is expected to fly over this week to complete the formalities towards his appointment.
United spoke with Tuchel alongside other bosses over the summer before deciding to extend Erik ten Hag‘s contract.
And he was told just weeks ago that he was their chief target to replace Ten Hag if they axed him, as per The Times, with the Dutchman once again under pressure after United’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season.
They must now go back to the drawing board if replacing Ten Hag is still on the agenda, with a potentially critical clash with Brentford awaiting this weekend.
Mail Sport understands that Tuchel is set to earn around £5million per year. He will start work in January on an 18-month deal until the 2026 World Cup.
Replacing Gareth Southgate, he becomes only the third non-British manager in the Three Lions’ history after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
The FA sounded out multiple candidates including Pep Guardiola and Eddie Howe but talks with Tuchel rapidly accelerated on Monday, with bosses keen to tie him down amid potential interest from United as they consider Ten Hag’s position.
A press conference to announce his appointment is expected to be held at Wembley on Wednesday at 1.30pm, attended by FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.
Tuchel has an impressive CV having won league titles with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, as well as the Champions League, Super Cup, and Club World Cup at Chelsea.
But it will no doubt be seen as a controversial move by the FA due to England’s rivalry with his native Germany.
England captain Harry Kane played under Tuchel at Bayern Munich last season and spoke earlier today about his former boss’s links to the job.
‘Obviously, I know Thomas well from last year. Fantastic coach, fantastic person, so I am sure the guys at the FA will contact me when they know more about it,’ he said.
But the FA have moved quickly for Tuchel, who emerged as the front-runner for the England job due to his track record of winning titles, which appeals to the FA.
The fact Tuchel knows English football from his time with Chelsea, and worked with captain Harry Kane at Bayern Munich is an obvious bonus.
It is understood he is effectively on gardening leave after leaving his previous job with Bayern which could cause financial implications for the FA, but nothing to derail the deal.
Interim boss Carsley is still set to take charge of the November fixtures versus Greece and Republic of Ireland.
Mail Sport reported on Saturday night that the FA held major reservations over whether Carsley wants the position on a permanent basis.
The governing body wanted to review the situation following November’s Nations League matches versus Greece and Ireland.
But there has been internal doubts in recent days over whether Carsley’s appetite for the role following a series of public comments that have been construed as the 50-year-old distancing himself from the full-time vacancy.
Carsley had support at the FA but the sense that he was not fully convinced about taking the permanent reins has led the FA to virtually rule the former Everton midfielder out of the running and move towards making Tuchel their new boss.
Guardiola has been viewed as the governing body’s dream candidate but the FA have not received any encouragement from the current Manchester City boss since an initial approach in July.
