The increasing pressure has proven fatal for Thomas Tuchel. The German may stay for now, but he must leave Bayern Munich after this season. Meanwhile, speculation abounds about Tuchel's successor. Who are the contenders?
Bayern Munich is currently facing a turbulent period, with a series of three consecutive losses marking an unusual low for the storied club.
This has prompted significant discussions about the team's future and leadership, leading to the announcement that Thomas Tuchel's contract will be terminated this summer, a year earlier than planned. Tuchel, aged fifty, has publicly committed to making the most of his remaining months with the team, but the focus has inevitably shifted towards finding his successor.
The search for a new head coach is reportedly well underway, with Kicker indicating that Xabi Alonso, the former Bayern midfielder, is emerging as the leading candidate. Alonso, who spent three years as a player at Bayern, has been making waves as the coach of Bayer Leverkusen, positioning the team as contenders for their first league title in history this year. His ongoing warm relationship with Bayern is seen as a positive sign for his potential return to Munich in a new role.
However, Bayern is not the only club with an eye on Alonso. Speculation in England suggests that Liverpool, another of Alonso's former clubs, is keen to bring him back to Anfield. Despite the strong interest in Alonso, Bayern's wishlist extends beyond him, including notable names such as Zinédine Zidane, Hansi Flick, Unai Emery, and Sebastian Hoeness.
The prospect of Hansi Flick returning to Bayern seems slim, as the club would likely have already made a move if they were interested in reappointing the coach who is currently without a team. Unai Emery has been impressing with his work at Aston Villa, and Sebastian Hoeness, the son of Bayern legend Dieter Hoeness, has been making his mark at VfB Stuttgart. Under Hoeness's guidance, Stuttgart is performing beyond expectations, currently sitting in third place in the Bundesliga, closely trailing Bayern.
Despite these potential candidates, there are reservations, particularly about whether the Munich job might be too big a step for Hoeness at this point in his career. With more than four months left in the season, Bayern's management has some time to deliberate over their next move. This period will be crucial for Bayern as they navigate through their current challenges and prepare for a future that they hope will return them to their customary place at the pinnacle of German and European football.
