REVEALED: The real reason Thomas Tuchel turned down chance to manage Man United this summer after ‘almost agreeing’ Old Trafford move

Thomas Tuchel reportedly turned down the chance to coach Manchester United amid disagreements over the proposed transfer policy.

Tuchel, 51, left Bayern Munich at the end of last season. The German is often tipped as Erik ten Hag’s successor as manager at Old Trafford.

Mail Sport even reported that the German met with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco to discuss his possible plans for the club.

Despite a comprehensive review by INEOS at the end of the season, United ultimately decided to continue with Ten Hag and negotiate a contract extension, despite a hugely disappointing season in which the club finished eighth.

And according to ImageTuchel even came very close to replacing Ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout.

Tuchel was tipped as a favourite to replace Erik ten Hag after he endured a difficult season

Tuchel met United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco to share his plans for the club

However, the report claims the Germans were reluctant due to disagreements over how the proposed transfer structure would work within the club.

At the time, it was claimed that Tuchel had chosen to take a break from football.

German commentator Marcel Reif told the newspaper: ‘I would have taken a big bet that Tuchel would replace Ten Hag.

‘I recently had a conversation with someone who is very close to that. It was quite far, almost in agreement.

‘As far as selection was concerned, the considerations were different.

‘Tuchel said at the finish line: “I’m not going to do that! I’m not going to do that to myself again, that I go to a club and then things come from outside.”‘

United have carried out a major restructure off the pitch this summer, with the arrival of Omar Berrada as CEO, Jason Wilcox as technical director, while Dan Ashworth has joined as sporting director and Christopher Vivell has been appointed interim head of recruitment.

The new approach to transfers is said to be more collaborative, with Ten Hag expected to have less influence than before.

United spent more than £200million on the summer market, with Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte all joining the first-team squad.

United have made several changes this summer, with Dan Ashworth among the new arrivals

Disagreement over the proposed transfer policy ultimately led to Tuchel getting cold feet

United return to action after the international break with an away match against Southampton

Tuchel has previously clashed with board members over the transfer policies of Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. It is clear that the German wanted to avoid this at all costs if he were to move to Old Trafford, where he was reportedly the first choice.

And when asked if Tuchel could ever play for United, Reif didn’t seem overly optimistic, adding: ‘Tuchel is not a firefighter.

‘Tuchel wants to build something and for that you need a full transfer period, you have to change things.’

After the international break, United return to action with a trip to Southampton as the Red Devils look to start their season well after two defeats in three Premier League games.