Tuchel on Thin Ice: Early UCL Exit Could Spell Instant Sacking at Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich suffered a surprising defeat to Lazio in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie. While the German giants have publicly reaffirmed their faith in manager Thomas Tuchel, reports suggest that his future hinges on the upcoming second leg at the Allianz Arena.
Despite the first-leg loss, Bayern maintains that Tuchel will be in charge for the crucial second leg. However, the pressure is immense. The board reportedly expects the team to reach at least the quarter-finals, with an early exit putting Tuchel’s job in immediate jeopardy.
Bayern Munich has a rich history of success in the Champions League, and anything less than a deep run in the competition is often seen as a disappointment. The team’s dominance in the Bundesliga is well-established, but European glory remains a major target for the club.
Tuchel, a highly respected manager with a proven track record, will be hoping to navigate his team past Lazio and into the latter stages of the Champions League. A strong performance and a convincing win at the Allianz Arena are crucial to ensure his continued tenure at the helm of Bayern Munich.
Bayern now face a seemingly daunting task, as they come off the back of a fairly measly break since last playing the Italians, in which they managed to secure only one win from their three games.
And with manager Thomas Tuchel already set to leave the club at the end of the season, one would hope that the German would try to save face and his job at least till he cannot anymore.
The latest reports also suggest that despite the lack of top interim managers currently, there are currently no plans for a coach who is available now and will remain head coach beyond the season, like Zidane, to take over in case of an early Tuchel departure.