Received 6 (points, editor’s note) out of 6 in the Champions League and accounting for 20 points out of 24 possible in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich has had an almost perfect start to the season that we would almost forget the heavy defeat against RB Leizpig (3-0) in the German Super Cup. Thomas Tuchel is no stranger to this. Arriving last March, the former Paris Saint-Germain coach who had difficulty at the end of last season acclimatizing to his team – despite having won the Bundesliga – has found more success in recent months. If there are still areas for improvement and his team is in third place following the great debut of Bayer Leverkusen (1st, 22 points) and VfB Stuttgart (2nd, 21st), the context has everything to be healthy in Bavaria.
But it’s hard to forget good habits at FC Hollywood. Since the start of the season, Thomas Tuchel has been the center of attention in Germany. Asking for a midfielder in the last transfer window and in particular a number 6, the German technician saw no one arrive to support Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer. The track João Palhinha (Fulham) did not go to the end and certain elements like Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) or Kyle Walker (Manchester City) did not land in Bavaria. Having a tense relationship with an executive like Joshua Kimmich whom he finds too slow as number 6 and Leon Goretzka whom he put on the bench before changing his tune in the face of his performances, Thomas Tuchel was hanging around his spleen after the failure of the João Palhinha case: “there is no news about it and there is no point in thinking about it now either. He plays at Fulham and we play here without him. I don’t know, things can change sometimes. No one can predict it.”
The consultants are exasperated…
Another player with whom Thomas Tuchel had a clash, Matthijs De Ligt. Replacing behind Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano at the start of the season, the Dutchman waited for the latter’s injury to reshuffle the cards and performed well. Previously, he had tasted the bench and the admonitions of his coach. But more than his tensions with the locker room, it is his statements that are tense in Germany where the term “cryer” is coming up more and more. Whether it is to criticize the refereeing against Bayer Leverkusen (2-2), to criticize the tour of the German selection players in North America or to add fuel to the fire in the transfer window, Thomas Tuchel does not miss the opportunity with each media release.
The latest was in the transfer window after Uli Hoeneß declared that there will be no major movement this winter. “If the boss says it, then it’s true (laughs). We cannot afford a major injury crisis. Otherwise, we will keep our options open. We are completely convinced of the quality of the team. Players like Min-jae play every game, here and with the national team. Now all we can offer is regeneration, regeneration, regeneration.” did he declare. An outing which demonstrates his desire to quantitatively strengthen a squad that he currently finds too tight. Moreover, honorary president Uli Hoeneß had accused certain outings of the former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich player as “reckless statements”. In the German media in any case, the Thomas Tuchel case is clearly debated. “This is a subject that must be discussed internally and not after every match in front of the television cameras. It makes you, as a player, deal with things that just aren’t necessary.”said Thomas Strunz on Sky 90.
“Despite all the problems that still exist, Thomas Tuchel’s job is to ensure a good atmosphere in the dressing room, because the best performances must be delivered every three days” continued the consultant who spent time at Bayern Munich and Stuttgart when he was a player. Former Bayern Munich and Liverpool player and now consultant for Sky SportsDietmar Hamann also pointed out the statements of the German coach: “he is well paid, he plays in one of the best clubs. Sure, they could have one or two more players, but now they have eight or nine games left before the winter break, so they will manage. Then you have to see what happens. But I really can’t listen to this constant whining anymore, because of course it’s not good for the club and the team either. I wouldn’t want to hear that if I was a player. We must hold players who speak loudly accountable.” Thomas Tuchel is creating an image of a mourner in Germany and the local media are starting to have enough…
