De Zerbi? Nagelsmann? Who best to replace Tuchel at Bayern

 

For the first time since Jürgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund ended up easing to The Double in 2012, Bayern Munich's title hopes lie completely in tatters. With just seven games remaining, Xabi Alonso's all-conquering Bayer Leverkusen side have moved 13(!) points clear and are serenely cruising to their first Bundesliga title. As Bayern braces for a challenging Champions League quarter-final clash against Arsenal, salvaging their season becomes paramount. Yet looming larger on the FC Bayern agenda is the quest to fill the coaching void left by the departing Thomas Tuchel. 

 

A dismal Bundesliga loss to Borussia Dortmund over the weekend will undoubtedly have further dented Bayern's delicate morale. However, after Easter, this latest setback will likely fade into distant memory. The record German champions are troubled by deeper problems and concerns, especially after Alonso's decision - how dare he? - to remain in charge of treble-seeking Leverkusen. Bayern's Plan A - Xabi Alonso - is now off the table. 

 

In search of Tuchel's successor 

 

 

Consequently, the quest to find Tuchel's replacement is inevitably gaining momentum behind the scenes. 

 

Roberto De Zerbi of Brighton & Hove Albion has emerged as one of the leading candidates and has received high praise from Bayern's top brass. Max Eberl, a recent addition to Bayern's board overseeing first team affairs, appears suitably impressed - Sky Germany describe him as a "big fan" of the current Brighton boss. Reports suggest Eberl has already reached out to De Zerbi's camp to explore the possibility of the 44-year-old Italian joining Bayern after this season's conclusion. 

 

De Zerbi's contract with Brighton extends until 2026 and there is said to be a buyout clause that could be activated this summer. De Zerbi himself has kept his future intentions close to his chest, stating ahead of Brighton's recent game against Liverpool, "I want to speak with my club, I have a contract, but the problem is not the contract - the problem is to find the same plan, the same target, the same vision for the future." 

 

Jürgen Klopp was also gushing in his praise for the Italian. In similar fashion to Alonso when he chooses to leave Leverkusen, De Zerbi will have the pick of the European elite when he opts to leave the south coast of England for pastures new. Some doubts may exist due to the language barrier, but this didn't stop Pep Guardiola becoming a success at Bayern, did it? 

 

For the same reason, Unai Emery should also come under serious consideration. Emery will be all too familiar to the Bayern board, having dumped Nagelsmann's Bayern out of the 2022 Champions League at the quarter-final stage with Villarreal. The Spaniard is currently doing a magnificent job with fourth-placed Aston Villa in the Premier League. 

 

It's all gone pretty quiet regarding Zinedine Zidane, who was touted for the job when news of Tuchel's departure first broke. Other high-profile candidates like the Special One Jose Mourinho, and the Italians Antonio Conte, and Massimiliano Allegri were also quickly ruled out.  

 

Only Erik ten Hag, the current coach of Manchester United, retains an outsider's chance. The 54-year-old Dutchman earned many plaudits for his methods and playing style at Ajax Amsterdam. Ten Hag has the added plus of knowing the inner machinery of FC Bayern, having coached Bayern's reserves from 2013 to 2015. 

 

What about the Germans? 

 

Any delusions that Liverpool's departing maestro Jürgen Klopp may hurry to Bayern's rescue in the summer have already been quickly shot down. "Jürgen will not coach any club or national team for a year after this current season," confirmed Klopp's agent Marc Kosicke. 

 

Another candidate, as reported in the German media last week, is 65-year-old Ralf Rangnick, formerly of RB Leipzig and a less fruitful stint at Manchester United. You can understand why the current Austrian national team coach would appeal to the Munich leadership. He can demonstrate success, maybe not so much in terms of silverware, though he won the DFB-Pokal in 2011. But his vision and methods meant Leipzig, backed by Red Bull's money, soon became a force in German football. As a coach, he could be trusted to uncompromisingly push forward the revamping of the squad in the club's best interests. 

 

2020 treble-winning coach Hansi Flick is said to fancy a return to Munich. However, Flick's stock has fallen markedly since leaving his post prematurely to take over as Germany national team coach in succession to Joachim Löw. 

 

Talking of that coveted position, the current incumbent Julian Nagelsmann is gaining some serious traction for a return to the club. Yes, you read that right. The same Julian Nagelsmann who was ditched just over a year ago, having racked up eight wins from eight games in the Champions League, and with Bayern lurking a solitary point behind Bundesliga leaders Dortmund and safely into the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals. For his efforts, Nagelsmann was promptly rewarded with the boot with Bayern's treble hopes still firmly intact, in stark contrast to their fortunes under Tuchel this season. 

 

A year on, the name Nagelsmann is said to be a hot topic of conversation at Bayern HQ, and it is believed that Eberl is not averse to the 36-year-old returning to the club. That said, it's also understood that opinions on him diverge widely and his reappointment is not supported at all levels. It would certainly be a spectacular move, but one characterised by little inspiration and conviction. Especially since the problems encountered in the past would be ignored and his rehiring would constitute an admission of failure when the club sacked him and appointed Tuchel. 

 

Bayern are on record that ideally any future boss should completely identify with the club and its values. Sebastian Hoeness is doing a magnificent job with third-placed VfB Stuttgart as the three-time Bundesliga champions look set to claim a Champions League qualification spot. The son of former Bayern striker Dieter Hoeness, the 41-year-old is also Uli's nephew. Uli Hoeness - AKA "Mr Bayern" - is the club's former president and general manager. Young Sebastian has recently extended his VfB contract until 2027, but reports suggest an exit clause is in place. That said, Bayern coughed up €25m to trigger a release clause and secure Nagelsmann's services from Leipzig in the summer of 2021. 

 

Hollywood casting 

 

The next few weeks should be a rollercoaster ride at FC Bayern, the club often known in times of turbulence as "FC Hollywood". Despite significant investment in the current squad, including England's goal machine Harry Kane, there is widespread acknowledgment within the club that an immediate overhaul is necessary. And with ample resources available for any rebuild under new leadership, Bayern's status as a powerhouse in European football is not in jeopardy. In the grand scheme of things, a Bundesliga title slip-up could paradoxically benefit the league's competitiveness and global allure. But before we delve into the broader implications, a mouthwatering Champions League tie against Arsenal beckons, offering another opportunity for redemption for a faltering Bayern Munich side under doubting Thomas Tuchel.

De Zerbi? Nagelsmann? Who best to replace Tuchel at Bayern