SHOCKING: Bayern Munich has only nominated two managers to replace their outgoing boss and they are…
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Bayern Munich are targeting two surprise candidates to replace Thomas Tuchel as the club’s manager before the end of the season.
Thomas Tuchel is coming under increasing pressure at Bayern Munich following a disastrous eight days, in which the German giants lost three consecutive games. Those defeats included a first leg against Lazio in the Champions League and two league games, ensuring they’ve now dropped further behind Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga title race.
But while Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen made it clear that Tuchel won’t be sacked after their 3-2 loss to VfL Bochum on Sunday, recent reports suggest that the German’s job is under serious threat.
According to Florian Plettenberg, two shock names have emerged as candidates to replace Tuchel on an interim basis until the end of the season, with Zinedine Zidane and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both being lined up as potential targets.
Both managers have been out of work since 2021, with Zidane’s last job coming at Real Madrid. The Frenchman left Los Blancos for a second time as he failed to win a trophy at the Bernabeu that season, but his three-peat Champions League victory between 2016-2018 highlights the impact he can have on a talented squad.
With Zidane seemingly holding out for the French national team job, though, whenever that might become available, Bayern have also identified other targets, including Solskjaer.
The former Manchester United boss was sacked in November 2021 after a poor start to the campaign, and has been working as a UEFA Technical Observer since, providing reports and watching Champions League games through his role.
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund reportedly also has a strong relationship with Solskjaer.
An interim manager could be the most-likely course of action for Bayern Munich to take this term, with Xabi Alonso reportedly their preferred appointment. While they’ll have to fight Liverpool for the Spaniard, his knowledge of the Bundesliga could see him opt to stay in Germany.
Plus, with Bayern likely ending the season trophy-less, and with both Zidane and Solskjaer available immediately, dispensing of Tuchel seems the most-likely course of action in Bavaria.
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Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is said to be facing questions over his future at the Allianz Arena.
The 50-year-old was appointed manager of the Bundesliga giants back in March 2023 and helped them to the title in his first season at the helm, after a dramatic final day in the German season.
However, after a dismal season, Munich find themselves eight points behind current league leaders Bayer Leverkusen and Tuchel’s job is seemingly up for discussion.
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According to The Athletic, an anonymous source at Bayern says Tuchel has failed to forge bonds with many of the players, largely because he has publicly criticised them on several occasions.
The report also states that the club has already enquired about potential options to replace him which include Hansi Flick and Xabi Alonso.
“He’s undermined everybody,” the member of Bayern’s leadership anonymously told The Athletic.
The frustration among Bayern’s stars was clear on Sunday, during their 3-2 defeat to FC Bochum. Joshua Kimmich clashed with assistant coach Zsolt Low after the match, sparking further questions over his methods.
Bayern Munich chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen has spoken out on the rumours in the past 48 hours, insisting the club will stick by the former PSG boss.
“Of course,” Dreesen told reporters when asked whether Tuchel would be in charge for next Saturday’s game against RB Leipzig.
“I am not a fan of monstrous coach-backing statements,” he said. “They usually run out after a week. But this (the coach’s future) is not an issue we are dealing with at the moment.
“We have to focus on our next matches,” he added.
Bayern recently lost 1-0 to Lazio in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 first-leg tie, with the game all to play for. Ciro Immobile’s spot-kick proved pivotal in Rome, in a game where Dayot Upemecano was also sent off.
The French defender was sent off for the second game in a row during the embarrassing defeat to Bochum after receiving two yellow cards.
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