Thomas Tuchel
FILE - Bayern head coach Julian Nagelsmann reacts during his last German Bundesliga soccer match against Bayer Leverkusen in Leverkusen, Germany, Sunday, March 19, 2023. Bayern Munich might be about to change coaches for the final stretch of the season. The German champions were on the verge of firing Nagelsmann and replacing him with Thomas Tuchel, according to reports in Germany on Thursday. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Bayern Munich Fire Julian Nagelsmann, Immediately Hire Thomas Tuchel

Just a year and a half into his Bayern Munich managerial campaign, the club relieved Julian Nagelsmann of his duties. In an almost immediate corresponding move, the Bundesliga outfit hired proven manager Thomas Tuchel as his replacement.

https://twitter.com/FCBayernEN/status/1639308636961882116?s=20

“FC Bayern München has released head coach Julian Nagelsmann. This decision was taken by CEO Oliver Kahn and board member for sport Hasan Salihamidžić in consultation with club president Herbert Hainer. Nagelsmann will be succeeded by Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel will receive a contract until 30 June 2025 and will supervise squad training for the first time on Monday,” said the German club in their statement.

Julian Nagelsmann

This is somewhat of a shocking firing given Nagelsmann’s success in Munich. The German coach had a 71.4% win rate with Bayern through 84 games managed. This included a 60-14-10 record with the club and three trophies.

Nagelsmann also led his Bundesliga squad to a perfect 8-0 record in the Champions League this season. Bayern Munich is set to play Manchester City in the tournament’s quarterfinals next month.

Despite the young coach’s successful record, Bayern has looked shaky this season. Despite having a +45 goal differential and boasting the best defensive record in the Bundesliga, the club sits second in the German league behind arch-rival Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga has been a tossup all season, with Union Berlin, Freiburg and RB Leipzig all getting a piece of the ultimate domestic pie.

Second place simply wasn’t good enough for a club with a history of immense domestic success like Bayern Munich.

The German club reportedly let Nagelsmann go amidst a skiing holiday during March’s international break. The manager traveled back to Munich, where he met with club officials this morning. Following a lengthy meeting, the club informed Nagelsmann that he was relieved of his duties as Bayern Munich head coach.

“Personally and on behalf of FC Bayern, I would like to thank Julian and his coaching team, and wish everyone the best of luck for the future,” said Kahn.

Nagelsmann remains under contract with the club until 2026- or until he can find another head coaching position.

Thomas Tuchel

Bayern Munich hired proven manager Thomas Tuchel in a corresponding, and almost immediate, move. The new manager joins on a two-and-a-half-year contract

Tuchel started his managerial career with FSV Mainz 05, which he managed from 2009-2014. In 2015 he joined Borussia Dortmund, leading the club to a DFB Cup win in 2017. In 2018 he joined Paris Saint-Germain, where he would win three successive Ligue 1 titles and lead the squad to the 2020 Champions League final, which they lost to Bayern Munich.

He last coached Chelsea FC, which he won the Champions League with in 2021. The German manager joined the club following Frank Lampard’s disappointing reign. He would manage the club for roughly a year before his surprise sacking brought on by a string of bad results and a falling out with new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly.

About Connor O'Bryan

Connor O'Bryan is a world soccer reporter for ESPN Gainesville. He also sometimes covers baseball and other sports. He has previously written for WUFT Gainesville and for Atrium Magazine. Connor also cohosts the "Off The Bar Podcast", a student driven podcast that focuses on the global soccer landscape.

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