Admin l Saturday, March 25, 2023
BAVARIA – New Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel knows nothing but success will do after the club’s ruthless sacking of Julian Nagelsmann.
The Bavarians are still in the running for a treble but Bayern bosses decided to make a coaching change with just two months left of the season after perceiving a drop-off in performance.
“It is an honour and a distinction to be approached by Bayern,” the 49-year-old Tuchel told a news conference of Saturday at the Allianz Arena.
“The DNA of the club is very clearly defined. It’s about winning, it’s also about the way we win. The squad is put together accordingly. It is one of the most talented and best squads in Europe. You can play for any title with this squad.”
Tuchel will face former club and title rivals Borussia Dortmund in his first game in charge on April 1 in Munich.
“It’s a huge game coming up, even bigger for us now. It’s the big game in German football, it’s taken on a new explosiveness because we are behind after Dortmund’s good run,” Tuchel said.
“It is a decisive phase of the season.”
Tuchel stressed that everything will be done to try to win “all three titles” – namely the Bundesliga, Champions League and German Cup.
But his first goal is to find a connection with his players. He is aware that not all of them are “happy” with a change of coach.
“The quickest way to gain trust is on the training pitch,” he said.
Many Bayern fans are also not happy with the move judging by social media. Some have remarked that Tuchel is not a long-term option given he tends to be fired after two years because of his abrasive style – as happened at Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
“A coaching position is only ever free when it has been vacated. I can empathise with Julian, it feels very humbling,” Tuchel added.
The Bayern hierarchy were attracted by his experience coaching top European names such as Kylian Mbappe at PSG and leading Chelsea to the 2021 Champions League.
“We need such a top man now. He has gained great experience abroad,” sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said, adding that negotiations between the Bayern management and Tuchel began last Tuesday.
News of Naglesmann’s shock sacking only leaked on Wednesday and was announced on Friday.
Bayern lost 2-1 at Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday to surrender top spot in the Bundesliga by a point to Dortmund, with nine games left.
Tuchel has signed a contract in Munich until June 30, 2025. He said he had expected to continue his coaching career abroad and that the timing of Bayern’s request was surprising.
Bayern bosses have become adamant that their coaches must be German speakers after communication problems with Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti in the past.
