Bayern Munich have confirmed today that Thomas Tuchel will leave at the end of the season, a year before the end of his contract end date in June 2025.
Tuchel was initially appointed to replace Julian Nagelsmann last March, quickly leading the club to an 11th successive Bundesliga title in his first few months at the helm. However, this season it’s a different story. After 22 games, Bayern Munich trail eight points behind league leaders Leverkusen in the title race. The former Chelsea, PSG and Borussia Dortmund manager released his own statement, asserting that he has agreed to end the collaboration when the season closes. “Until then, I and my coaching team will of course continue to do everything we can to ensure maximum success,” he says.
What are the reasons?
The decision comes after a run of three defeats in all competitions, including a surprise 3-2 to mid-table VFL Bochum last weekend. Overall, Tuchel has won just 28 of his 44 games in charge and the Bavarian giants now risk going without any trophies for the first season in over a decade.
For a club that once dominated German football, something has to change.
Bayern Munich Chief Executive Jan-Christian Dreesen has said that the club’s goal is to ‘carry out a sporting realignment with a new coach for the 2024/25 season’. The real question now is which manager they’ll be realigning with.
Who could replace Tuchel?
Leading bookmakers, whose free bets and welcome bonus offers are compared by Oddschecker, have Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso as the favorite to replace Tuchel at 3/1. Many of these bookmakers also offer £30 in free bets when £10 is wagered. Alonso already knows the Bundesliga (and how to dominate it) and he’s seen as the prime candidate to step into the role. Bayern Munich would have competition, as Liverpool are also interested in the Leverkusen manager.
French football icon Zinedine Zidane, meanwhile, has emerged as the second favorite. Zidane has been without a team since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, so the question will be whether or not he’s ready to step into a high-pressure role in the Bundesliga.
Other contenders include Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho.
Jurgen Klopp is due to leave Liverpool at the end of the season and his tenure in the top-flight makes him a great option to take over the reins, that is if the fans can find it in their hearts to welcome a once much-loved Borussia Dortmund coach.
We couldn’t speculate on a managerial opening without including Jose Mourinho. Coined ‘the special one’ , Mourinho has 26 major trophies under his belt, and has never tried his hand in Germany. Could this be his chance?
