Bayern Munich's Thomas Tuchel survives backlash after BayArena debacle

By SABC Sport
13th February 2024

In the aftermath of a stinging 3-0 defeat at the BayArena, coach Thomas Tuchel finds himself under scrutiny at Bayern Munich.

A "Tuchel out" banner unfurled by a disgruntled fan near Sabener Strabe on Sunday adds to the growing dissent. However, amidst the discontent, the board remains patient, quashing any immediate thoughts of Tuchel's dismissal.

According to sources at Sky, Tuchel's swift termination is not up for discussion. Despite the lacklustre performance at Bayer Leverkusen, the plan remains intact - Tuchel will continue at least until the end of the season. Now, the focus shifts forward as the crucial phase of the season unfolds.

The coming week poses two challenging fixtures for the Bavarians - a Champions League clash against Lazio on Wednesday and a Bundesliga encounter with VfL Bochum on Sunday. Tuchel wasted no time dwelling on the past, emphasizing this urgency during the post-match analysis with his players.

Sources reveal Tuchel's profound disappointment with his team's performance, particularly the failure to execute the tactical instructions that had been successful in training.

Tuchel is acutely aware that his future is on the line. Should the record champions falter in the Champions League and end the season trophy-less, the pressure on him will intensify.

Regardless of Tuchel's fate, a summer overhaul is imminent. The blame within the boardroom currently leans towards the squad rather than the coach. Internally, there's a prevailing sentiment that this team is challenging to train, and some personalities are detrimental to the squad.

The specifics of the overhaul on the Isar will also depend on the actions of the new sporting director, Max Eberl. The 50-year-old former Bayern player is currently observing from a distance, with active involvement slated for the spring.