Back in February, Bayern Munich announced that Thomas Tuchel would be leaving the club in the summer after overseeing a disappointing campaign. By February, it was already clear that the club's run of 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles was over and that Bayer Leverkusen would be crowned the new kings of Germany.
For a club of Bayern's stature, not winning the league title is considered a failure so the writing was always on the wall for the ex-Chelsea boss.
Bayern's domestic form hasn't improved much since the announcement, however, they have overcome Lazio and Arsenal in the Champions League and have a semi-final with Real Madrid to look forward to.
Feeling toward Tuchel from the club's supporters has improved slightly and with the club failing to secure the signatures of both Julien Naglesmsan and Xabi Alonso, there has been rumours that the club' hierarchy are considering asking Tuchel to stay on.
Rangnick linked with Bayern job
In recent days, the latest development in Bayern's managerial search is that they have made contact with Austria manager, Ralf Rangnick. The 65-year-old has done a good job with the Austrian national team and confirmed he has spoken to Bayern earlier in the week. He said:
“There has been contact from the side of Bayern Munich and I have informed the Austrian Football Association. If Bayern say: ‘We want you’. And then I would also have to ask myself: ‘Do I really want this?’ If I want to do something else I will first discuss it with the Austrian FA.”
Since Rangnick confirmed the story, Bayern Munich fans have set up an online petition calling on the club to cut ties with Rangnick and persuade Tuchel to stay. The petition has quickly attracted a lot of attention and over 14,000 Bayern Munich fans have now signed it.
The word from Bayern team circles on Tuesday evening is that Ralf Rangnick has already received a concrete offer from the club. Players and staff have been mentally preparing for the potential arrival of Rangnick. Within the supervisory board, there's no opposition. All what's… pic.twitter.com/O0KJcQUipC
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) April 24, 2024
Tuchel responds to Bayern Munich fans petition
Ahead of Bayern' match with Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, Tuchel was asked about the petition and whether any talks had taken place in relation to him staying at the Allianz Arena. He said:
“Even though this topic is good for me when they wish you to stay, it’s not something that is a priority and it isn’t allowed to be a priority.
“In the next 11 days, it’s only about football, nothing else. We want to achieve all we can and to gather as many points as possible in the Bundesliga to get the best result and to reach the final of the Champions League.
“Whether it’s pleasant or unpleasant, I don’t allow myself to be influenced by it. We’re only focusing on every day counting towards our goals and there’s no exception.”