Successive defeats to Bayer Leverkusen and Lazio in the Bundesliga and Champions League have left Bayern Munich in yet another crisis. Just for the seventh time this century, it appears as though Der Rekordmeister will fail to lift a piece of silverware at the end of the campaign.
Sitting five points behind Die Werkself, Bayern do not look like a side ready to hunt down the Meisterschale this season, while Leverkusen have been unrelenting under Xabi Alonso and do not appear like allowing the record champions a route back into the title race.
As for the Champions League, even if Bayern do claw their way back into their tie against Lazio, they will still have to contend with sides like Real Madrid and Manchester City if they want to win Europe’s greatest prize.
This has, therefore, left Thomas Tuchel under a considerable amount of pressure. While Bayern may be the best second-placed side in the history of the Bundesliga at this stage of the season, there are a multitude of calls for Der Rekordmeister to replace the 50-year-old in the summer.
Tuchel’s popularity, or lack thereof, has been shown in a recent poll conducted by Bild. With 370,000 participants, 82% have voted against Tuchel, suggesting that he is no longer the right person for the top job at Bayern.
With Xabi Alonso and Hansi Flick the two favourites to succeed Tuchel in the summer, it is not yet clear as to who will be in charge of the Bavarian giants next season. However, club officials at Bayern are still showing their faith in Tuchel, with Sporting Director Christoph Freund offering his support for the head coach after Wednesday’s defeat to Lazio:
“We are all in the same boat. It’s not easy now, but we will get out of this together; that’s our big goal.”
Regardless of whether Bayern decide to replace the former Chelsea head coach or not, it is clear that fans do not believe in Tuchel’s ability. The upcoming games against Bochum and RB Leipzig will be pivotal for Tuchel, and if he is to remain in charge, he will need to navigate Bayern through the next two weeks in a positive manner.
GGFN | Will Shopland
