Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has dropped his verdict on Thomas Tuchel’s major decision to stick with England amid the Red Devils’ intense links.
Thomas Tuchel was tipped as a Manchester United target for the vacant head coach role after Ruben Amorim was sacked as the Premier League club’s manager.
Do you want Thomas Tuchel to be Man Utd’s next head coach?
Paul Scholes says Tuchel is his number one choice
Ineos and Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe had been linked with bringing Tuchel to Old Trafford during the reign of Erik ten Hag at the Red Devils.
Tuchel has now been ruled out of the running for the next permanent United head coach role after the 52-year-old German manager inked a new deal with England.
The England manager’s previous deal with the Three Lions was set to expire at the end of the 2026 World Cup in North America, having signed the contract in 2025.
Rio Ferdinand responds to Thomas Tuchel snubbing Man Utd with his England contract extension
The Football Association (FA) announced Thomas Tuchel’s new England contract last week and ended speculation around the former Chelsea manager’s long-term future.
Tuchel will now remain in charge of England through to Euro 2028 and the news has been one setback in Manchester United’s pursuit of a new permanent manager.
Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand said: “Talking about LA, obviously, we’re going to be over there for the World Cup.
“We’re going to make sure you stay tuned for that, guys. We’ve got some great stuff planned. But that brings us on to England and Thomas Tuchel getting an extension, by the way, on his contract.
“What do we think about that, guys? Do you think it’s the right decision?”
Who do you think will be Man Utd manager at the start of the 2026/27 season?
🔮 Let us know who you believe will and should be in charge? Who will Ineos appoint?
During his conversation with his co-hosts, Ferdinand admitted that the Red Devils’ interest in Tuchel might have put pressure on the FA to secure the manager’s future.
The 47-year-old United legend added on Rio Ferdinand Presents: “I think so, yeah. I think so. I mean, I actually didn’t think that he would leave England.
“I think one tournament is probably not enough. I think in one tournament, get a bit of experience around it, understand it.
“If he doesn’t win it, then it’ll be more confident going to the next one.”
READ MORE: Benjamin Sesko says what Man Utd fans ‘see’ on pitch shows bigger effect happening behind the scenes
Rio Ferdinand sends a clear-cut message to Man Utd over England manager Thomas Tuchel
Ferdinand is convinced that Tuchel’s call to remain with England well beyond the upcoming World Cup has slammed the door shut on United signing him in the future.
“Yeah, I agree […],” he admitted.
“No-one’s going to be ringing him up now, going, ‘Listen, fancy little go here at Man United?’ when he just signed an 18-month extension. No chance. Game over.”
Tuchel was appointed the permanent successor to Sir Gareth Southgate at England in 2025 after the English FA first announced the news back in 2024.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
