Pressure mounts on Thomas Tuchel as Bayern Munich chief speaks out on sack rumours

Lazio claim first-leg win in Champions League tie to leave German giants’ season hanging on knife-edge
Dom Smith15 February 2024

Thomas Tuchel is under increasing pressure at Bayern Munich after their week went from bad to worse when they were beaten by Lazio in the Champions League last night.

Reports in Germany this morning said Tuchel will remain in charge of Bayern for their Bundesliga game away at Bochum on Sunday, but that there is now no guarantee the former Chelsea manager will see out the season.

Despite increasing criticism, a defiant Tuchel last night insisted he does not fear of the sack despite a defeat he described as “a bit slapstick”.

Ciro Immobile scored the winner for Lazio from the penalty spot after a clumsy foul on Gustav Isaksen from Dayot Upamecano, who was sent off.

“No, I am not worried about my future,” said Tuchel. “We did everything to lose this match. It was in our hands. At a certain point we stopped believing, I have no idea why. There were many individual mistakes.”

Bayern director Christoph Freund said. “Of course Tuchel is struggling with the situation, which is very difficult for all of us. Our goal is to fight our way out of this together. We’re all in the same boat, we are together.”

Harry Kane called on his Bayern teammates to look at themselves after their latest defeat.

The England captain, who faces a trophyless first season at the German giants, cut a frustrated figure up front as Bayern failed to register a single shot on goal.

Kane fronted up after the Lazio loss and admitted: “It's been a really tough week.

"In the first half we started well and had clear chances, one for myself. In these games they are big moments. The second half was disappointing. We came out with less energy and less confidence. We got punished. Once you go down to 10 men it's always difficult.

"We have to find it among ourselves. We're still in the race for the Bundesliga and in this tie. We have to keep fighting. We're in a difficult spell. We have to fight. We have to turn it round. We have big games and big things to fight for. We're not out of it, we will never give up. We just need to turn it around. One game or spark can turn it round."

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