Former Chelsea manager tipped for shock Stamford Bridge return as Manchester United express 'interest'

Thomas Tuchel is keen on a return to the Premier League next season and reports in Germany suggest he would even be open to re-joining Chelsea.

Tuchel was sacked by Chelsea in September 2022, just three months after Todd Boehly bought the club and following a poor start to the season. More than £250million was spent in the American's first window as owner but a run of just three wins in seven games - culminating in the 1-0 Champions League defeat against Dinamo Zagreb - saw the club part ways with their manager.

Since that decision was taken, neither Tuchel nor Chelsea have seen fortunes improve with both enduring an underwhelming 18 months. Chelsea hired and then fired Graham Potter, with Mauricio Pochettino also under pressure after leading the club to 11th in the Premier League so far.

Following a brief break, Tuchel was appointed as Bayern Munich manager but after clinching the Bundesliga title at the death last season, has seen his side fall 10 points behind Bayer Leverkusen. Bayern confirmed the German will leave in the summer and Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reports that a return to England is on the cards.

The 50-year-old feels he is yet to prove himself in the Premier League, which is widely regarded as the most competitive for managers, and has 'never ruled out' the possibility of returning to Chelsea under the very same ownership that sacked him. Manchester United have also been tipped as a potential option, with the future of Erik ten Hag uncertain and new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe potentially open to change.

Pressure continues to grow on Pochettino at Chelsea, with supporters calling for his head during the 2-2 draw at Brentford last weekend - a section were also chanting Jose Mourinho's name. Pochettino has admitted he is yet to feel the love from fans but remains determined to earn their respect by turning results around.

Chelsea are expected to keep Pochettino in place until at least the end of the season, with the desire being to avoid a repeat of last season when they sacked Potter in April and finished the season terribly under Frank Lampard. The Blues face Newcastle United and Arsenal in the next fortnight and remain in the FA Cup, hosting Leicester City in the quarter-finals later this month.