Sports

Thomas Tuchel is officially unveiled as Bayern Munich’s new manager

Published

2 years ago

March 25, 2023

Thomas Tuchel has boldly targeted winning a treble with Bayern Munich this season after he was unveiled as the club’s new manager following the sacking of Julian Nagelsmann..

The German was appointed as Bayern head coach on Friday after they ruthlessly sacked Nagelsmann.

Tuchel – who has previously managed Chelsea, PSG and Borussia Dortmund – has signed a contract with the 31-time German champions until 30 June 2025.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Tuchel said: ‘It’s an honour and a distinction to be asked by Bayern Munich.

‘I’ve been in very close contact with Bayern before. But back then I couldn’t wait. It would never be appropriate to pressure anyone. Things went very quickly this time, it’s a top solution for me.

‘The timing was surprising, I didn’t expect it and there was no contact beforehand. I assumed that I would continue my career abroad. The first interview was on Tuesday evening. The size of the challenge was the deciding factor that I wanted to do it.

‘We don’t really have much time. I probably won’t see the internationals until Friday. Winning all titles is still possible. Therefore, it will be all about the details. I have an idea of what to do and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s about playing for all titles.

‘Even when you work abroad for a while, you become even more aware of the importance of FC Bayern. It’s one of the biggest clubs in Europe and the world.

‘That’s a big responsibility too. ‘In the end there’s also a personal reason for me to work here close to my family and in the state where I was born. There are many reasons that made me accept quickly’.

Bayern Munich’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić and CEO Oliver Kahn were also present at the press conference to speak on Tuchel’s arrival.

Salihamidzic revealed Bayern had contacted Tuchel, 49, on Tuesday to speak to him about taking over – three days before they formally sacked Nagelsmann.

Salihamidzic said: ‘I called Thomas on Tuesday. Thomas picked up the phone and asked: ‘What do you want?’ I then said: ‘If you don’t feel like it, I’ll hang up.’ But Thomas was hot.

‘We then met met in the evening, talked about everything and then everything happened very quickly in the past two days.

‘We talked before three or four years ago, but unfortunately it didn’t work out then. This time, because Thomas wanted to immediately and so did we, of course.’

Tuchel added: ‘On Tuesday evening I started thinking about the squad. In England and in Paris, they rate Bayern extremely highly. Nobody wants to play against Bayern Munich. The size, the strength of the club is undisputed.’

News of Nagelsmann’s sacking emerged on Thursday evening and he was informed of his dismissal during a 61-minute meeting with club chiefs on Friday.

The 35-year-old received the news while away on a skiing holiday and it arrived as a major shock with Bayern still in the title race and the Champions League.

The 49-year-old’s first match in charge will see him take on his former side, Borussia Dortmund, in a crucial Bundesliga title clash.

Tuchel has enjoyed successful stints in England, France and Germany previously, which has led the Bundesliga champions to hiring him.

Bayern CEO Kahn said: ‘We don’t have to talk about Thomas’ qualities here. He was successful with Paris, led them to the CL final and worked with many superstars there.

‘He immediately won the Champions League with Chelsea. That’s an impressive CV.

‘There’s always a personal development behind it, of course. That’s why we’re very happy that Thomas is now our coach.’

There was general surprise when Bayern announced the decision to terminate Nagelsmann’s contract on Friday afternoon.

Bayern’s statement unusually announced the sacking of Tuchel and the appointment of Nagelsmann at the same time. The decision had first come to light in the German press on Thursday evening.

With Bayern still in the title race and the Champions League, having comprehensively beaten Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 on aggregate to advance to the quarter-finals this month, Nagelsmann’s departure came as a major shock.

Kahn said: ‘When we signed Julian Nagelsmann for FC Bayern in the summer of 2021, we were convinced we would work with him on a long-term basis – and that was the goal of all of us right up to the end.

‘Julian shares our aspiration to play successful and attractive football. But now we have come to the conclusion that the quality in our squad – despite the Bundesliga title last year – has come to the fore less and less often.’