Bayern coach Tuchel is leaving FC Bayern at the end of the season
Bayern Munich Coach Thomas Tuchel will leave the club at the end of the season The club announced this on Wednesday.
Tuchel's future was the subject of ongoing speculation as the club trailed by eight points Bundesliga Leader Bayer Leverkusen.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (USA)
Bayern have lost their last three games – twice in the Bundesliga against Leverkusen and Bochum, as well as a 1-0 defeat against Lazio in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 last week.
It was the first time since May 2015, when Bayern had already won the Bundesliga title, that they had lost three competitive games in a row.
“We have agreed to end our collaboration at the end of this season. Until then, I will of course continue to do everything I can with my coaching staff to achieve the greatest possible success,” said Tuchel in a statement.
If Bayern fail to close the gap on Leverkusen, it would be the first time since the 2011/12 season that they failed to win the domestic title.
Tuchel replaced Julien Nagelsmann as Bayern coach last March, even though the club was just one point off the top of the Bundesliga and still playing in the Champions League.
He led them to the league title last season, but only secured silver on the final day afterwards Borussia Dortmundcan't be beat Mainz allowed Bayern to overtake them.
Bayern Munich recruited in the summer Harry Kane out of Tottenham Hotspur in a deal that could be worth up to 120 million euros ($131 million), and Kim Min Jae out of Naples for 50 million euros (US$55 million). But this window also saw Lucas Hernandez, Ryan Gravenberch, Benjamin Pavard And Sadio Mane everyone goes.
Bayern started the season well but have recently struggled to keep up with Xabi Alonso's unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen. In 22 games so far, they lost four times and drew twice.
After the recent defeat to Bochum on Sunday, Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said Tuchel's future was not up for discussion.
“I’m not a fan of monstrous statements of coaching support – they usually run out after a week,” Dreesen said.
“But this [Tuchel’s future] is not a topic we are dealing with at the moment. We have to concentrate on our next games.
However, this proved to be short-lived as Bayern signaled their intention to leave Tuchel twelve games before the end of the season.
“In a good, open discussion, we came to the decision to mutually end our collaboration in the summer,” said Dreesen in the statement on Wednesday.
“Our goal is to embark on a new football direction with a new head coach for the 2024/25 season. Until then, every single person in the club is expressly called upon to achieve the maximum in the Champions League and Bundesliga.”
“Here, too, I expressly hold the team responsible. Especially in the Champions League, after the 1-0 first leg defeat at Lazio Rome, we are convinced that with our fans behind us we will reach the quarter-finals in a full Allianz Arena.” “
