Bayern Munich fans have started a petition to force their club to renege on their decision to sack head coach Thomas Tuchel.
The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager was handed his marching orders at the end of February after overseeing a turbulent 10 months with the serial champions.
The club were unable to claim their 12th consecutive Bundesliga title in the face of Xabi Alonso‘s ascendant Bayer Leverkusen side, and had been knocked out of the German Cup with just the Champions League left to contest.
Former player Alonso was widely tipped as the frontrunner to take over from the German manager, but shocked both Bayern – and rival suitors Liverpool – with his decision to honour his contract at his current club and stay another season with the title-winners.
In the wake of Alonso’s decision, Bayern have been unable to nail down a successor to Tuchel, who will see out the campaign at the Allianz.
Thomas Tuchel is set to leave Bayern Munich this summer after first being sacked in February
But fans are keen for their head coach to stay in place ahead of an important European year
Supporters appear less than impressed by emerging frontrunner Ralf Rangnick, who coaches the Austrian national team
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Although Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick and ex-manager Hansi Flick have been floated however, Bayern Munich’s supporters are increasingly keen for their current manager to be given a second chance.
Over 11,700 supporters have signed the change.org petition since its launch on Tuesday, which calls for the club to spurn other candidates and take another look at Tuchel’s achievements with an ‘injury-plagued’ side.
‘FC Bayern decided to dismiss Thomas Tuchel in the summer after the defeat against VFL Bochum. What an atrocious decision!’ The petition’s statement begins.
‘Thomas Tuchel, also known as “Juppel,” never had it easy in Munich. Despite the negative media coverage surrounding him and the personnel situation with the injury-plagued Munich team, the Champions League winner led his team to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
‘With all due respect to candidates like (Unai) Emery or Rangnick, these coaches can’t hold a candle to “Juppel”.’
Speaking about the petition during Friday’s Bundesliga press conference ahead of facing Eintracht Frankfurt, a flattered Tuchel said: ‘For me this is a pleasant topic that people want to keep me here. But it has no priority for me.
‘I don’t want to take it as an excuse or distraction. We are in full focus on the final games.’
Emery was briefly considered to be subject to Munich’s strong interest, but this week signed a new deal with his current side Aston Villa, much to the delight of the club’s supporters and his dressing room.
Unai Emery was briefly under consideration by the club but this week signed a new deal with Aston Villa
Julian Nagelsmann put former club Bayern in a similar position after he doubled down on his commitment to Germany
No 1 target Xabi Alonso (centre) will also stay at his Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen
The Spanish manager is by no means the first of Bayern’s post-Alonso options to make similar moves, with Julian Nagelsmann – who Tuchel replaced in April of last year – also inking a new contract with the German national team amid speculation he was set to return to the Allianz.
‘Considering that the “Finale Dahoam” (Champions League final hosted at the Allianz Arena) will take place next season, Bayern Munich should actually be glad to have such an outstanding Champions League coach like TT,’ the statement continued.
‘With him, the chances would certainly be higher than with the rumored candidates. “Juppel” has already won the Champions League with Chelsea and also led PSG to the final.
‘As fans of FC Bayern, we want to emphasize that Thomas Tuchel is the right man and should be retained! Therefore, we are starting this petition, hoping to draw the attention of the media and, above all, the bosses of FCB! We want Juppel and no-one else!’
Rangnick confirmed that the Bundesliga side had opened talks with him on Thursday, and shared that he had ‘told the Austrian association’ as a result.
The former Manchester United head coach added that for the time being, his focus would be set firmly on Austria’s Euro 2024 campaign.
Tuchel has overseen a turbulent injury-afflicted spell at the German serial champions
One final piece of silverware remains in play after the side beat Arsenal in their Champions League quarter-final last week
‘We have a very trusting relationship. My focus is on the Austrian national team,’ he said. ‘We are focusing completely on the European championships.’
‘I feel very well here. At the moment there is no reason to intensively deal with this.’
Tuchel’s last chance of securing silverware will continue next week when Bayern Munich play their Champions League semi-final first-leg tie against Real Madrid at home.
Both European sides beat English opposition – Arsenal and Manchester City respectively – in the quarter-finals, but their tie will stoke interest regardless as England team-mates Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham prepare to line-up against one another on Tuesday night.
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