Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel is now considered unlikely to remain in his job beyond the end of this season at the latest after a poor start to 2024.
Unconvincing results in recent weeks have peaked in the last few days with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Bundesliga title rivals Bayer Leverkusen and a shock first leg loss at the hands of Lazio in their Champions League last 16 tie – Bayern didn’t even manage a shot on target in the latter.
There are increasing signs Tuchel will be going in the summer or sooner. Another slipup against Bochum on Sunday could even trigger an instant departure, while that isn’t necessarily out of the question with a win if it is still unconvincing.
There is a view that Bayern haven’t progressed since Tuchel was hired to replace Julian Nagelsmann, himself fired 11 months ago despite a 71.4% win percentage. Players like Jamal Musiala haven’t kicked on under his tutelage, while he doesn’t seem to have the answers to resolve the issues.
Bayern ideally wanted to avoid a repeat of dispensing with a manager mid-season, with the club almost throwing away the Bundesliga title but for Borussia Dortmund dropping points on the final day. Yet Tuchel’s departure could end up being accelerated if there isn’t swift improvement.
The 50-year-old, who has a contract with Bayern until 2025, previously guided Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021 and was the coach who led Paris Saint-Germain to their only Champions League final to date 12 months earlier. He was the man chosen to replace Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund in 2015, having also originally made his name at another of Klopp’s former clubs, Mainz.
The last Bayern coach to fail to win the Bundesliga title was Jupp Heynckes way back in 2011/12 – also the club’s last trophy-less season – although he did still guide them to the 2012 Champions League final and then delivered a Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League treble the next year.
