Bayern Munich have already announced Thomas Tuchel’s departure at the end of the season. However, the German boss could be sacked earlier if the Bavarians are knocked out of the Champions League.
Pressure Mounts on Tuchel After Freiburg Draw
Will Tuchel Sit on Bayern’s Bench Against Lazio?
Freiburg held Bayern to a 2-2 draw on Saturday as the Bavarians dropped two more points in the Bundesliga. The German champions are now seven points behind Bayer Leverkusen, who continue their dream run toward winning their first-ever league title under Xabi Alonso.
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Having already crashed out of DFB-Pokal, they face a must-win match against Lazio in the Champions League to keep their trophy hopes alive. Following the draw against Freiburg, pressure has increased on Bayern’s board to make a decision on Tuchel’s future. But the manager is set to stay in his role until after the crunch Champions League match.
A Shock Move for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer?
According to Sky Germany, Bayern Munich will “definitely” avoid sacking Tuchel before the upcoming match against Lazio. However, in the event of Bayern’s elimination from the Champions League, Tuchel could be replaced with an interim manager until the end of the season which would mark a U-turn from their original announcement.
Having lost the first leg 1-0, they face an uphill battle to reach the Champions League quarter-finals with a victory needed at Allianz Arena. The upcoming match could end Tuchel’s spell at Bayern Munich after weeks of underwhelming performances in the Bundesliga.
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Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has emerged as a candidate to take charge until the end of the season. The Bavarians are reportedly reluctant to hire a permanent boss as they are keen to enter negotiations with Xabi Alonso in the summer.
Tuchel’s Record at Bayern Munich
His arrival in Munich was announced after the club’s unexpected decision to sack Julian Nagelsmann in March last year. Under their new manager, the Bavarians were eliminated from both the Champions League and DFB-Pokal before narrowly winning the Bundesliga title race against Borussia Dortmund on the final day.
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Overall, the 50-year-old has registered 32 wins, 14 defeats, and seven draws in his 53 games in charge of Bayern. The former Chelsea manager’s current deal runs until 2025. However, his struggle to maintain Bayern’s dominance in the Bundesliga has convinced the club to look for a new manager ahead of the next campaign.
Bayern’s Top Candidates to Replace Tuchel
They will need to hire an interim manager if they decide to sack Tuchel mid-season. According to Bild, the board is leaning toward ending the season as originally planned, this is because their top managerial targets won’t be available until the summer.
Alonso is linked with a move to Bayern at the end of the season, but Liverpool and Real Madrid are also closely watching the Leverkusen manager’s situation.
The names of Hansi Flick and Sebastian Hoeness have also been mentioned among the main candidates to replace Tuchel. Both managers have previously worked at Bayern. However, the team’s hierarchy is reportedly not convinced of their ability to rebuild the squad after Tuchel’s exit.
Who should replace Thomas Tuchel at Bayern❓🤔 pic.twitter.com/AZJyqGXLoL
— 433 (@433) February 21, 2024
