Tuchel, Bayern to part ways at end of season

Bayern Munich and manager Thomas Tuchel have mutually agreed to end their collaboration when his contract expires this summer. The decision follows Bayern’s shocking 3-2 loss to Bochum in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

Despite winning the last 11 league titles, the Bavarians currently sit 8 points behind table-toppers Bayer Leverkusen. Reports suggest Xabi Alonso could take over the reigning champions ahead of 2024-2025.

Bayern CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen, stated the club held an “open, good conversation” with Tuchel about “amicably” separating. Dreesen challenged everyone at Bayern to “achieve the maximum possible” in the UEFA Champions League and Bundesliga before the coaching change. He especially expects the players to step up and believes advancing past Lazio in the second leg is realistic.

Tuchel echoed Dreesen’s sentiment about ending things positively. The manager and his staff “will of course continue to do everything [they] can to ensure maximum success” for the rest of 2023-2024.

Appointed in March 2023 after Julian Nagelsmann became Germany manager, Tuchel secured Bayern’s first-ever German league title last season on the final matchday. However, he has struggled domestically in 2024 despite getting out of the UCL group stage.

Defeats include the Supercup, an early Pokal exit, and four Bundesliga losses out of 20 matches. Bayern next face RB Leipzig on Saturday, before hosting Lazio in the Champions League.