Tuchel, worried following strings of losses by Bayern Munich

Admin I Monday, Feb. 19, 2024

 

MUNICH – Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel expects the debate on his future at the club to intensify over the coming days although he has been backed by CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen after a third straight defeat.

Dreesen said after Sunday’s 3-2 loss at Bochum that “of course” Tuchel would be in charge on Saturday against RB Leipzig and that “this is an issue we are not dealing with at the moment.”

Tuchel said in response: “I doubt that this will help not having this discussion.”

He added the debate on him him “feels like going on all season, also when we won matches.

“For a few weeks now I’ve reached the point where it no longer affects me. I concentrate on what I can influence. That’s the only recipe I know,” Tuchel said.

Bayern have slipped eight points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen after losing a topper there 3-0 a week ago, and then in Bochum. In-between, they also lost a Champions League last 16 first leg match 1-0 at Italy’s Lazio.

The 11-time reigning Bundesliga champions face a first season without silverware in a dozen years, having been eliminated by third division Saarbrücken in the German Cup.

Bayern will hope for a turnaround against Leipzig but have lost the two home games against them: 3-1 in the league in May which almost cost them the title, and 3-0 in the German Super Cup in August. Their last Bundesliga match in Leipzig in September ended 2-2.

The former Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea coach Tuchel replaced Julian Nagelsmann 11 months ago at the Bayern helm and has a contract until 2025.