Thomas Tuchel believes he will continue as Bayern coach next season, despite the club having fired CEO Oliver Kahn and Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic shortly after winning the Bundesliga.
Shortly after winning the Bundesliga title on May 27, Bayern announced that Jan-Christian Dreesen would replace Kahn as CEO, with Salihamidzic's successor yet to be decided. Dreesen has been vice-chairman of Bayern's board of directors for the past 10 years. He initially announced that he would leave the club in the fall at the end of the 2022-23 season to seek new challenges.
On Twitter , Kahn said he was "banned" from attending the final match against Cologne - where Bayern won 2-1 to surpass Dortmund. The German legend considered this "the worst day of my life, having been deprived of the opportunity to celebrate the championship with the whole team".
Kahn (left) and Salihamidzic (right) at the ceremony to announce Tuchel as Bayern's head coach on March 24. Photo: AFP
Meanwhile, Salihamidzic was still in attendance and witnessed the moment Bayern won their 11th consecutive Bundesliga title. He is proud of his six years as Bayern's sporting director, with both difficulties and good things. The former Bayern winger stressed that he respected the board's decision, and wished the club unity and success.
It was Kahn and Salihamidzic who approved the decision to appoint Thomas Tuchel to replace Julian Nagelsmann in March. This decision did not work as the "Gray Tigers" were consecutively eliminated from the Champions League, German Cup and only surpassed Dortmund to win the Bundesliga in the final minutes of the final round.
"I knew yesterday that they were going to be fired," Tuchel told Sky after Bayern's title triumph at the RheinEnergie Stadium. "Salihamidzic called me eight weeks ago. Together with Kahn, they convinced us that we should work together. They are mainly responsible for that, so I will have to deal with that first. Instead of celebrating, we have a new topic to discuss."
When asked about the possibility of continuing to lead Bayern next season, the German coach smiled and replied: "For now, I think so."
Tuchel lifted the silver plate for the first time for the Bundesliga champions during Bayern's coronation ceremony at the RheinEnergie Stadium on May 27. Photo: FC Bayern
Meanwhile, Thomas Muller was surprised by the decision of the Bayern board of directors. "Really? The decision was made just one minute after the final whistle? I didn't know anything about it until now," the German striker expressed.
In the final round yesterday, while Dortmund drew 2-2 at home with Mainz, Bayern won 2-1 at Cologne to overtake their opponents. Dortmund and Bayern finished the season with 71 points, but Tuchel's team won the championship thanks to a superior goal difference.
While the team celebrates and prepares for the summer break, the 49-year-old coach has immediately turned his attention to the new season. "The game against Cologne showed what we have to do better. We have to aim for higher standards and be more focused," Tuchel said, while also setting the target of winning more trophies next season, in addition to defending the Bundesliga.
Jamal Musiala was Bayern's hero with an 89th-minute winner that sent Bayern top of the Bundesliga. The 20-year-old midfielder said winning the title after a difficult season was an "incredible moment". He admitted Bayern had had a poor season, and was determined to improve next season.
Hong Duy
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