This seemed already written given the mediocre performances of Bayern Munich this season, and the changes made within sports management. As reported by Sky Germany this Wednesday, Bayern and Thomas Tuchel marked the end of their joint adventure at the end of the season. “Both parties agreed on this point after fair and positive discussions”, writes the German media. Tuchel nevertheless had a contract until 2025. But the last few weeks have clearly brought to light many problems.
“The Bayern crash”. Sports Bild was also not holding back this Wednesday on its front page. It must be said that for the first time in 10 years, the Bavarian club suffered 3 humiliating defeats, against its rival for the title Bayer Leverkusen, against Lazio in the round of 16 of the Champions League and then against an opponent within its reach, Bochum. Three notable defeats which above all highlighted the consummate break between the German coach and certain stars of the team, at the forefront of which we find Joshua Kimmich.
The Kimmich case at the heart of the problems
As we explained to you a few days ago, Kimmich opened the door to a departure due to his surprising and rapid downgrade. In the space of a few months, Tuchel completely destroyed him, and the images of a tear-eyed Kimmich after his substitution on Sunday in the 63rd minute, as Bayern lost 2-1. The tension rose to the maximum at the end of this meeting, an altercation taking place between the German midfielder and Zsolt Löw, Tuchel’s faithful deputy. Kimmich sharply asked him to explain his replacement, the tone rose and it took the intervention of Manuel Neuer to prevent it from getting completely out of control.
Kimmich is having a hard time with the downgrading imposed by Tuchel, which started in preparation for the season. The coach complained several times that his squad lacked a real defensive midfielder, even though he had Kimmich, Goretzka, Laimer and Gravenberch in his ranks (before transferring him to Liverpool). The relationship with Kimmich, although announced as the captain of the future by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, has never been good. Following this moment of tension on Sunday, the two men spoke, to put things straight, at the start of the week. But that won’t change much for the future. The departure of Tuchel at the end of the season could, however, interrupt the process of a departure for the midfielder, as well as for other executives who did not like the style of the German coach…
