Bayern Munich and Thomas Tuchel will be parting ways at the end of the current season. The German joined the Bavarian club in March 2023, succeeding Julian Nagelsmann. In what has been a journey filled with mixed results so far, both parties agreed to a mutual termination of the coach’s contract earlier this year.
🚨 OFFICIAL: Thomas Tuchel leaves FC Bayern at the end of the current season.
Decision made by both club and head coach, Tuchel leaves Bayern in June.
It’s over between Bayern and Tuchel. pic.twitter.com/4taueCsULg
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 21, 2024
The results have so far not favored Thomas Tuchel at Bayern. The club saw their 11-year winning streak ended in the Bundesliga by Bayer Leverkusen. Xabi Alonso’s men currently sit 15 points above the record champions with two matchdays to go. The former Chelsea boss has encountered turbulent situations in the previous 12 months.
With less than one month to conclude the European season, Bayern still has a chance to end the campaign with silverware. They find themselves in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid. The tie is still all open with the second leg yet to be played. As Bayern prepares itself for a new phase under a different coach, the question arises as to can all the blame fall on Tuchel for their controversial journey,
Thomas Tuchel’s positive impact at Bayern Munich
The 50-year-old was hired by the Bayern bosses amidst a lot of expectations. The failure to achieve those can not be blamed solely on Tuchel. Bayern Munich’s squad has needed reinforcements for several seasons now. After years of overlooking the situation, the club has succumbed domestically.
Throughout the summer and beyond, Tuchel kept talking about the need for a defensive midfielder, openly questioning the credentials of Goretzka, Kimmich and Konrad Laimer. Since the first two were part of the team’s leadership group, the effect was destabilising, especially for… pic.twitter.com/UbsxcAk3e6
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) February 22, 2024
One of Tuchel’s first demands after having joined Bayern Munich was to sign a holding midfielder to partner Joshua Kimmich in the midfield. However, the club failed to address his requests. Considering this, Tuchel has done an impressive job of adjusting his formation by setting a midfield of Leon Goretzka with Konrad Laimer and moving Kimmich to right-back. This has provided further defensive stability in the middle of the park for Thomas Tuchel.
Bayern have had to deal with constant injuries to their backline throughout the season. Nearly every defender has spent time on the sidelines, leaving Tuchel to field a different defense almost every other game. He has been able to get the best out of new signings like Eric Dier, Konrad Laimer, and especially Harry Kane. The England captain has been all praises for Thomas Tuchel for assisting him in his seamless transition to the Bundesliga.
Harry Kane on Tuchel’s celebration in the dressing room: “He’s very proud of us. I said before that we’ll stick behind Thomas for as long as he’s here until the end of the season. He’s giving everything to try to make us successful in this competition. We really feel we can come… pic.twitter.com/kk4l9qycDL
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) April 18, 2024
The German manager is considered one of the best knockout competition coaches on the planet. He holds the record of being the only manager to reach successive Champions League finals with two different clubs. His prowess was evident during his tactical adaptation against Real Madrid in the semi-final first leg. Bayern Munich have been working on reclaiming the Champions League having last won it in 2020. Tuchel would have been their best bet with proper resources combined with his tactical know-how.
Potential candidates to replace Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich
In recent seasons, Bayern have gained the reputation of being far too impatient with their coaches. The most recent example has been of Julian Nagelsmann, who was close to finishing a successful season in Munich but was relieved of his duties two months before the season concluded. Starting from the 2016-17 campaign, Bayern have appointed six different coaches. One can argue that some stability is needed to build a base for long-term success at a big club like Bayern Munich.
🚨Exclusive | FC Bayern have inquired about Julen #Lopetegui in the last two days after Rangnick’s rejection!
The 57 y/o former Real Madrid coach not at the top of the list, but Bayern have inquired about his availability.
He is without a club and wants to take over a club… pic.twitter.com/mt8JoHWqRw
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 3, 2024
However, the coach search is again underway at Germany’s most accomplished club. There have been several candidates to be rumored to take the job once Thomas Tuchel leaves his post. Currently, coaches like Julen Lopetegui, Hansi Flick, and Jose Mourinho are in line as potential replacements for Thomas Tuchel.