Title fight in the Bundesliga: days of frustration for Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel

Title fight in the Bundesliga
Frustration days for Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel

The Bayern world was still in order: Oliver Kahn (l) and Hasan Salihamidzic (r) presented Thomas Tuchel as the new head coach at the end of March. photo

© Angelika Warmuth/dpa

Thomas Tuchel had a completely different idea when he took office. In just two months under his leadership, the Bayern stars were losing title after title. A look back might be encouraging.

Thomas Tuchel even smiled a bit in the frustrating Bayern days when it came to the start of his delicate Munich mission. Because taking office in the summer would have been easier for the 49-year-old than the difficult start from zero in the middle of the hot phase of the season.

“It’s not always a request concert. Sometimes the doors open when they open,” said Tuchel, who in his short time as coach of the German record champions had to accept setbacks that he himself had never expected. He threatens to go down in history as the coach of FC Bayern Munich, under which three titles were lost in just two months.

Title zero threatens

Flanked by CEO Oliver Kahn and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic, Tuchel presented himself relaxed and full of confidence two months ago when he was presented as the successor to Julian Nagelsmann after the big bang for the coach at the series champion. Three titles were still possible, now the championship is at most possible. But only if Borussia Dortmund sensationally blunders against FSV Mainz 05 in front of hundreds of thousands in front of hundreds of thousands in black and yellow. “Of course it hits us hard when it comes to that,” said Tuchel about the zero number in the title.

After “extremely modest days”, Tuchel tried to prepare his stars for the mini championship chance in the game at 1. FC Köln. There was laughter in training, at least to the outside world hope for the title should be broadcast. “The season isn’t over yet. Let’s take a look at the last matchday,” he said, not ducking away. “We definitely wanted it to be different, I’m responsible for that.”

Even before the standard 100-day record, Tuchel can look back on an amazing ups and downs with his new ensemble, even had to moderate a solid cabin clinch between Sadio Mané and Leroy Sané. In the meantime he was “in love” with his team, at other times he missed the right “spirit”. And after the decisive setback in the 1: 3 against RB Leipzig “completely without notice”, the 49-year-old was angry as never before in the short term. “It depends on the little things. Not so much that we scream and bite into cupboard walls or show teeth,” warned Tuchel on ZDF about the detailed work.

Tuchel’s contract runs until the summer of 2025

Tuchel coached FC Bayern eleven games – five wins, two draws and four defeats are anything but Bayern-like. “The DNA of the club is an obligation. It is very clearly defined. It’s about winning, it’s also about the way of winning. You can play for any title with this squad,” said Tuchel, who has a contract until the summer of 2025 set the bar high when signing himself.

Kahn and Salihamidzic then grinned contentedly – now they have to explain repeated disappointments. In addition, they are trying to strengthen the new coach they signed at a risky time, despite the many mood dampeners. Nevertheless, after three playful titles by his stars, he is preparing for the new season with a big mortgage, his first real one in Munich.

Tuchel earned a reputation in Mainz and Dortmund as well as in Paris and at Chelsea for being able to exert a great influence during the game through changes and changes. So far, this has not been successful at Bayern Munich. In addition, the trainer had to moderate the “Thomas Müller Games” topic he had created himself. Especially in the 1: 3 against Leipzig, Tuchel was annoyed on the sidelines, quarreling with gestures about his team’s performance, which he simply could not explain. Salihamidzic denied that the players had let their coach down. “I wouldn’t say that,” said the 46-year-old. “Thomas and his team” have done “sensational” training work.

Lots of work in the summer

It probably won’t bring a trophy, at least this season. At the start, Tuchel himself pointed out this obligation. “When you sign with Bayern, it’s about playing for all the titles,” said Tuchel. After the recent Leipzig shock, the Champions League winner and club world champion of 2021 also pointed out the rapid transience of such merits. “It was dramatic for us in the coaching team to realize how little has changed. You’re happy and relieved, but then you try to plan the new season, do the first training session at the highest level.”

Thus, after busy early days à la “work, eat, sleep, repeat”, Tuchel set the path for the new season. He wants to use the summer preparations to adapt the team taken over from Nagelsmann to his needs. He deposits personal requests with the bosses. A midfield clearer and a striker should probably come.

Tuchel can hope that an alleged frustration triple in the club will trigger a similar reaction as the three second places in 2012 did. Back then, coach Jupp Heynckes formed a unit out of dejected stars that celebrated a year later as a triple winner. In any case, Honorary President Uli Hoeneß will initiate everything that he believes is necessary for new successes under Tuchel. “I wanted to let Uli Hoeneß know that I’m doing my best to take good care of his club,” said Tuchel shortly after signing. He will have to be measured by this promise.

dpa

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