EPL: Owen rules out Zidane, names ideal manager to replace Ten Hag at Man Utd

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker, Michael Owen has expressed doubt that Zinedine Zidane will consider the Manchester United managerial role this summer, but he believes Thomas Tuchel is well-suited to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag is under significant pressure following a challenging season, with Man United currently sitting in eighth place in the Premier League and striving to qualify for European competitions.

As Ten Hag prepares for a crucial FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25, rumours persist that his tenure might be nearing its end, regardless of the outcome at Wembley.

Several names, including Zidane, Tuchel, Gareth Southgate, Roberto De Zerbi, Kieran McKenna and Graham Potter have been linked to the Manchester United job.

However, Owen believes Tuchel could be a prime candidate, contingent on Bayern Munich’s decisions regarding his future.

“Zidane doesn’t speak much English so I’m not sure Man Utd would be on his radar personally. I would be very surprised,” Owen told BoyleSports.

“Tuchel would be an interesting one. If Bayern won the Champions League, could there be a U-turn?

“They haven’t won the league but if you offered them the Champions League only at the start of the season, they would snap your hand off.

“But yes, he could become available and I think a lot of Chelsea fans regret parting with Tuchel. He is one big name capable of the job.

“The one out of them I’d be most surprised at would be Zidane. I think it’s very possible it will be Southgate or Potter, they are very impressive guys.

“It was a difficult time when Potter took over, so you would not want to scratch his name and say it was an awful job. I don’t think Potter and Southgate are out of the question.”