Rio Ferdinand has jokingly declared he discussed the Manchester United job with Thomas Tuchel at the Bernabeu.
The Bayern Munich boss was in high spirits as he gatecrashed TNT Sport’s live coverage ahead of his side’s heartbreaking Champions League semi-final second leg defeat to Real Madrid.
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Tuchel, who will be standing down at the Allianz Arena at the end of the season, has been linked with replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman is under huge pressure with the Red Devils sitting eighth in the Premier League table, with Tuchel believed to be on the club’s shortlist should Ten Hag be sacked.
And talkSPORT also understands that the ex-Chelsea manager would be keen on a return to England to take over at the Theatre of Dreams.
It appears that United legend Ferdinand was doing his best to gauge whether the speculation is true as the pair were caught in conversation prior to kick-off in Spain.
Ferdinand was seen with his hand around the German’s face, who in turn laughed while covering his mouth.
Host Laura Woods and ex-Real Madrid star Steve McManaman, who won two Champions League titles with Los Blancos, were keen to ask what the two were chatting about.
After Ferdinand insisted he was blown away by the 50-year-old’s ‘relaxed’ attitude ahead of Madrid’s 2-1 win, McManaman quipped: “What about the Manchester United job?”
To which a smiling Ferdinand replied: “That was the final part of the talk! Where are you going?”
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Tuchel has made no secret of his love of the Premier League, having won the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup while with the Blues.
Discussing his future with TNT Sports, he remarked: “It is no secret that I loved it at Chelsea.
“I loved it in England and I loved it in the Premier League for sure.
“It was a very, very special time and I remember it very well.”