Top English clubs (even Chelsea) join race for axed Tuchel
FAILING to win the Bundesliga as boss of Bayern Munich would not quell Premier League interest in Thomas Tuchel. Neither has the way Chelsea ruthlessly sacked the German, less than 18 months after he led them to Champions League glory, tempered the German’s fascination with English football.
Tuchel is open to a Premier League return after Bayern confirmed yesterday that he will leave at the end of the season, effectively a sacking.
So Tuchel and England — a match made in heaven?
Becoming the first head coach in 12 seasons not to lead Bayern to the domestic title would not be the most impressive prelude to a return to the Premier League.
The fact they flounder eight points behind Bayer Leverkusen and fear Champions League elimination at the hands of Lazio, in a season when they signed Harry Kane for £120million, does not reflect particularly well.
Yet there is a lure about Tuchel you cannot ignore with the charm, the wit and the aura. He has a proven record of success in England — just ask Chelsea fans who still question his sacking in September 2022.
Current problems at Stamford Bridge suggest the decision was, at best, unwise.
Tuchel’s short reign at Bayern represents a blot on his copybook. But Julian Nagelsmann — revered as one of the most impressive managerial minds of his generation — found last season that this is a Bayern team in a state of flux. It isn’t necessarily the failure it appears.
Results were not the sole reason behind Tuchel’s dismissal at Chelsea in 2022, though their start to last season was far from ideal. A lack of alignment between him and the club’s American owners disrupted things.
That in itself may act as a warning to clubs — he can be vocal and forthright in his views, especially regarding recruitment. But his charisma, particularly as the public face of a club, would ease those concerns.
So what happens now? Liverpool
need a new manager for next season after Jurgen Klopp confirmed last month that he would be stepping down.
Manchester United, West Ham, Brighton and even Chelsea are among the clubs who could also be in the market for a new head coach at the end of the season. The Hammers, in particular, have a long-standing interest.
Indirectly, Tuchel’s departure will have implications for Liverpool’s interest in Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, who is a leading candidate to fill the forthcoming vacancy at Bayern.
Alonso’s emotional ties to Anfield will give the Merseysiders encouragement that he will return to the club instead of staying in Germany.
But with Bayern preparing to accelerate their interest, Liverpool might need to act fast if they have decided Alonso is their man to replace Klopp.
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, whose future at the Amex beyond this season is unclear, is also admired by Liverpool.
Intriguingly, Klopp’s agent Marc Kosicke went on record to insist Klopp would not be replacing Tuchel at Bayern this summer, saying: ‘He will not coach any club or national team for a year after this season. That remains unchanged.’
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how England captain Kane’s future will be affected by Tuchel’s exit in Bavaria. He has been in the process of moving wife Kate and his four children over to Munich and is said to be settled in Germany.
Tuchel was at the centre of Bayern’s drive to sign Kane last summer and although there is no indication that the striker, who has scored 29 goals for Bayern this season, would seek an exit, it remains to be seen whether the appointment of a new head coach alters the landscape for the 30-year-old.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to make yet another appointment to their backroom team by recruiting Jim Hicks from the PFA as the club’s head of coach development.
The 63-year-old will coach and mentor age-group coaches in men’s and women’s teams, from junior levels up to the Under 23s.