Bayern back Tuchel, confirm Rummenigge’s return to club

MUNICH: Bayern Munich chairman Herbert Hainer on Sunday promised manager Thomas Tuchel’s job is safe with the freshly-minted German champions, while confirming the return of former executive Karl-heinz Rummenigge.

Bayern on Saturday overcame a two-point deficit to leaders Borussia Dortmund to win their 11th straight German title, but announced the sacking of CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic at full-time.

In a specially convened press conference on Sunday, Hainer explained the duo were sacked because the club’s “performance in the secondhalf of the season was not how we imagine FC Bayern to be,” but said the club had “absolutely no thoughts” of firing Tuchel.

“We are absolutely convinced by Thomas Tuchel. He is one of the best managers in Europe and has shown that at several clubs.

“I don’t know why Thomas Tuchel should not be our coach.”

Tuchel was appointed in March ater Kahn and Salihamidzic sacked then manager Julian Nagelsmann. While Kahn was replaced by former CFO Jan-christian Dreesen, a new sporting director has not yet been appointed.

Hainer however confirmed the return of Rummenigge, who played for the club for a decade and served as CEO until he was replaced by Kahn in 2021. The chairman said the club would lean heavily on Bayern’s sporting expertise, including the returned Rummenigge as well as giving Tuchel a bigger role.

Hainer also revealed that the Kahn and Salihamidzic had been told of the decision on Thursday, “early enough so that they would have time to deal with the situation” and “out of respect for these two icons of Bayern Munich.”

BAYERN BAG FIFTH WOMEN’S GERMAN LEAGUE TITLE: Bayern clinched their fith women’s Bundesliga title as Japan midfielder Saki Kumagai hit a hat-trick in a 11-1 demolition of last-placed Turbine Potsdam on Sunday.

Bayern’s women clinched the title on the final day of the season as the club’s men’s team did the day before. They finished two points ahead of Wolfsburg who beat visiting Freiburg 2-1.

Kumagai opened the scoring ater just four minutes and Bayern were 7-0 up at haltime.

Forwards Jovana Damnjanovic and Lea Schueller both scored twice as seven Bayern players got on the scoresheet at the Bayern training ground.