Ajit Karn
Thomas Tuchel, the new coach of Bayern Munich, stated on Saturday that he was “stunned” to be offered the job after replacing the fired Julian Nagelsmann. Tuchel, 49, was appointed to a contract that extends through 2025 after Nagelsmann was fired after just two seasons as Bayern’s manager. Nagelsmann was fired by the six-time European champions on Friday, with the club second in the Bundesliga, but having led them to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Tuchel was dismissed by Chelsea in September despite having led the club to the Champions League title in 2021, and he spoke with Bayern executives on Tuesday night.
“Whether you believe me or not, the first 30 seconds of our first conversation left me somewhat dumbfounded,” Tuchel told reporters.
“I had no idea what we were discussing. It became evident that it was for the present.
“I was utterly taken aback. The timing was unexpected. There was no prior contact, the former Paris Saint-Germain manager added.
Tuchel has a reputation for being occasionally abrasive and demanding complete support from his employers, a demand that has strained relations at Chelsea and PSG.
Hasan Salihamidzic, Bayern’s director of sports, defended the decision to dismiss 35-year-old Nagelsmann and denied the hiring of Tuchel was a panicked move.
Salihamidzic stated, “The situation between the coach and the team no longer worked.”
“We came to the conclusion that we required a coach with this level of international expertise.
“We met on Tuesday evening and had an excellent conversation. He was incredibly enthusiastic from the very beginning,” the former Bayern player added.
– “Bayern is focused on winning” –
Tuchel inherits a squad that includes Sadio Mane of Senegal, Joshua Kimmich of Germany, and Alphonso Davies of Canada.
He stated that the team was among the most accomplished and finest in Europe.
“I am extremely excited to collaborate with this team. These athletes put you in the running for every trophy.”
“The club’s genetic makeup includes a commitment. Bayern is about victory, and also about how to succeed,” Tuchel added.
Bayern are still in contention for three trophies this season, and Bayern midfielder Kimmich described the decision to part ways with Nagelsmann as “disappointing.”
“It’s always disappointing when a coach is fired, because it means we as players have not delivered,” Kimmich said after Germany’s 2-0 friendly victory over Peru on Saturday.
“It’s a peculiar circumstance, but such is the nature of the football industry. There is little spirit and little affection.”
Kimmich also acknowledged that he did not have a relationship with Tuchel.
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“I do not yet know him,” he told ZDF.
On April 11, Bayern will travel to Manchester City for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. A week prior, they hosted Freiburg in the quarterfinals of the German Cup.
Following the international break, Tuchel will play his first game on April 1.
Tuchel coached Borussia Dortmund from 2015 to 2017, the club that will face Bayern.
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He stated, “This is the biggest match in German football.” It has an additional level of significance.
