Matthijs de Ligt was supposed to be the new head of defense at FC Bayern. This plan has not worked (so far). The Dutchman’s relationship with coach Thomas Tuchel is now said to be strained.
As “Sport Bild” reports, the relationship between Tuchel and de Ligt is tense.
Accordingly, the central defender’s departure in the summer is entirely possible, and his future in Munich is questionable. A change after the season is already being talked about by the German record champions.
Under Tuchel, de Ligt has only appeared in twelve competitive games this season. Behind Dayot Upamecano and new signing Minjae Kim, he is actually only number three in the defensive center.
In addition, the 24-year-old is repeatedly set back by injuries. He recently suffered a capsule injury to his left knee during the training camp in Faro, Portugal. De Ligt had to “take a break from training,” FC Bayern announced. It is unclear how long the national player will be missing.
Further competition for de Ligt at FC Bayern
In the absence of Kim (participating in the Asian Cup with South Korea), de Ligt would actually be placed in the center of defense next to Dayot Upamecano.
FC Bayern had already responded to the tense defensive personnel situation by signing Eric Dier from Tottenham Hotspur. The former Leipzig player Nordi Mukiele from Paris Saint-Germain is also reportedly still coming.
De Ligt moved from Juventus Turin to FC Bayern in the summer of 2022 for 67 million euros. He has not been able to increase his market value since then.
De Ligt was recently linked with a move to Manchester United. According to Sky, the Red Devils and especially team manager Erik ten Hag are very interested in a transfer. However, the Dutchman is not planning a quick exit in the winter transfer window, but rather could imagine a move in the summer, it is said.