BAYERN MUNICH
Bayern Munich and Thomas Tuchel’s internal crisis before Champions League tie against Real Madrid
Tuchel is deeply unhappy at being criticised by honorary president Uli Hoeness just days before facing Madrid in the UCL.
Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel says he was “deeply offended as a coach” following “unfounded” comments made by club president Uli Hoeness, who claimed the ex-Chelsea boss has neither the will nor the ability to improve his most talented young players. The internal spat at the Bundesliga giants comes just 48 hours before they face Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals at Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
Departing Tuchel fumes at Hoeness following Eintracht Frankfurt victory
Tuchel and Bayern have, of course, already announced they will part ways at the end of the seasons, and it seems as if the split may not be an especially amicable one.
“I am deeply offended by what he said,” Tuchel fumed after the 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. “If my coaching staff has shown anything over the last 15 years, it is that there’s always room for young players, especially those from the academy, with us in training. And on the field too, if they perform well. We have proven that! In my view, those statements are totally unfounded!”
The 50-year-old was especially upset that the criticism came from within the club: “In fact, that is so far from reality that I would not have reacted at all if it had not come from Uli Hoeness. The fact that it comes from one of our bosses before the game against Real Madrid puts it into a whole different context”.
Why did Hoeness criticise Tuchel?
Hoeness, a frequent critic of Tuchel, had previously stated: “He doesn’t think he can improve (Alphonso) Davies, (Aleksandar) Pavlovic or (Jamal) Musiala. I think he should work hard with them and give them confidence. I expect a coach to be able to improve young players.”
With Tuchel on his way out and Xabi Alonso staying with Bayer Leverkusen, what next for Bayern?
Former Manchester United interim manager and current Austria coach Ralf Rangnick is the favourite to replace Tuchel in the dugout, although he isn’t especially popular with fans. Unai Emery of Aston Villa and ex-Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui are also in contention.