Bayern have parted company with head coach Julian Nagelsmann after 84 games in charge, replacing him with former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.
The reigning Bundesliga champions find themselves one point behind Dortmund – another of Tuchel’s previous clubs – in the quest for an 11th consecutive title.
However, the Bavarians remain the only team with a 100% record in this season’s Champions League, keeping more clean sheets and conceding fewer goals than any other side.
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A statement on the club’s website confirmed the “decision was taken by CEO Oliver Kahn and board member for sport Hasan Salihamidžić in consultation with club president Herbert Hainer.”
Oliver Kahn’s full explanation for the managerial change is as follows:
“When we signed Julian Nagelsmann for FC Bayern in the summer of 2021, we were convinced we would work with him on a long-term basis – and that was the goal of all of us right up to the end. Julian shares our aspiration to play successful and attractive football. But now we have come to the conclusion that the quality in our squad – despite the Bundesliga title last year – has come to the fore less and less often. After the World Cup we have played less successfully and less attractively. The big fluctuations in performance have cast doubt on our goals for this season, but also our goals for the future. That is why we have acted now. Personally and on behalf of FC Bayern, I would like to thank Julian and his coaching team, and wish everyone the best of luck for the future.”
Hasan Salihamidžić added:
“This has been the most difficult decision in my time as board member for sport at Bayern Munich. I have had an open, trusting, friendly relationship with Julian from day one. I regret the parting of the ways with Julian. But after a thorough analysis of the sporting development of our team, especially since January and with the experience of the second half of the previous season, we have now decided to release him. I am very grateful to Julian for what he has done for FC Bayern and I wish him all the best.”
The club also confirmed that along with Nagelsmann, assistant coaches Dino Toppmöller, Benjamin Glück and Xaver Zembrod have also been released.
Thomas Tuchel will receive a contract until 30th June 2025 and will supervise squad training for the first time on Monday.
Narrator: he didn't even get to face Pep. ? https://t.co/CPga7rMnNF
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 24, 2023
This managerial swap also denies Nagelsmann the opportunity to become the youngest manager in UEFA Champions League history to win the competition. Should he have dispatched Guardiola’s Man City in the quarter-final before going all the way, the 35-year-old would have not only broken Guardiola’s UCL era record but also become the all-time youngest head coach to lift the European Cup. Guardiola was 38 years old when Barcelona were crowned champions in 2008/09, while 36-year-old José Villalonga led Real Madrid to victory in the inaugural European Cup campaign in 1955/56.
Nagelsmann is now the favourite to replace Antonio Conte has the next permanent Spurs manager.