As reported by Tobi Altschäffl, Bayern Munich are not seeking a quick fix just yet and Thomas Tuchel will be in the dugout this weekend for their game against VfL Bochum. However, following losses against Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga (3-0) and Lazio (1-0) in the Champions League, Tuchel is very much walking a tightrope for the remainder of the season.
Five points adrift in the Bundesliga title race and now chasing a one-goal deficit in the Last 16 of the Champions League – these are things Bayern Munich are not used to. However, that’s where Tuchel’s troops find themselves.
We’re coming up to nearly a year ago since now Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann was sacked, and the club were in much better shape than they are now. They were competing in the Champions League and on course for another Bundesliga title.
So what’s different now? Why is Tuchel seemingly getting a pass when his record is worse than Nagelsmann’s at this point in his tenure?
The answer could be potential successors. Ironically, Xabi Alonso’s success at Leverkusen could be keeping him in the job. Bayern would be keen on bringing in their former player, who is currently leading B04 to a first Bundesliga and enjoying a 30+ game unbeaten streak.
Alonso may not go to Bayern in the summer, of course, but you get the feeling the club will try to lure him despite interest from Liverpool – who themselves will be managerless at the end of the season.
There is Jose Mourinho, who is currently without a team after being sacked by Roma. However, it’s unsure how the Bayern board feel about the Portuguese man. A serial winner, absolutely, but is he the right fit? Hence Bayern’s apprehension.
It’s clear they’re going to take their time, but make no mistake, another slip-up could cause them to act.
Tuchel must understand he has no more lives left. Should they fail to turn the game around against Lazio in Munich or slip up again in the Bundesliga and effectively give B04 the title, he’ll be a goner.
GGFN | Jamie Allen
