Thomas Tuchel has been heavily criticized after three defeats in a row. Now Bavaria has drawn conclusions. The club confirmed a separation from the coach at the end of the season.
Coach Thomas Tuchel has to leave FC Bayern in the summer. The record champions officially announced this on Tuesday. “Bild” and Sky had previously reported in agreement.
In the club’s statement, Bayern’s CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen is quoted as saying: “In an open, good conversation, we came to the decision to mutually end our cooperation in the summer. Our goal is to start with the 2024/25 season to undertake a sporting realignment with a new coach.”
And further: “Until then, every single person in the club is expressly required to achieve the maximum possible in the Champions League and the Bundesliga. I also explicitly hold the team accountable for this.”
Thomas Tuchel said: “We have agreed that we will end our collaboration after this season. Until then, I and my coaching team will of course continue to do everything we can to ensure maximum success.”
The coach recently came under heavy criticism after three defeats in a row. Nothing was initially known about a possible successor from summer onwards.
Tuchel only succeeded Julian Nagelsmann in March 2023 and signed a contract until June 30, 2025. In the 2022/23 season, the Munich team under Tuchel were eliminated in the DFB Cup against SC Freiburg and in the Champions League against eventual winners Manchester City, but in the end they at least celebrated the German championship in an exciting finish ahead of Borussia Dortmund.
First titleless season in twelve years is looming
The current season threatens to be the first without a title since the 2011/12 season. In the cup, the Munich team was eliminated by third division team 1. FC Saarbrücken. In the round of 16 of the Champions League, FC Bayern must make up for a 0-1 defeat in the first leg at Lazio Rome in order to reach the quarter-finals on March 5th.
In the fight for the championship, Bayer Leverkusen is far ahead of Munich. Coach Xabi Alonso’s Werkself secured a clear 3-0 win in a direct duel in mid-February. Alonso played for FC Bayern from 2014 to 2017 and is an interesting coaching candidate for several top clubs.
Bosses want to avoid separation during the season
The 50-year-old Tuchel has suffered many injuries in his star ensemble this season. On the other hand, the still top-class team disappointed too often. The tactical and personnel changes in the past games were unsuccessful.
There was a lot of professional praise for Tuchel, but there were also disagreements with one or two stars. Tuchel repeatedly pointed out the discrepancy between performances in games and in training.
Tuchel continues to try to bring the season to a successful end after repeated setbacks. The Bayern bosses absolutely want to avoid a separation in the middle of the season like with Nagelsmann. CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen has ruled out an early separation after the 2:3 against VfL Bochum.