Bayern Munich have officially confirmed Thomas Tuchel as their new manager.
The former Chelsea boss has succeeded Julian Nagelsmann, who was sacked following Bayern's 2-1 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen last weekend, at the Allianz Arena. It was a harsh decision to axe the 35-year-old, as Bayern are still going strong in the Champions League. They face Premier League holders Manchester City in the quarter-finals next month.
It is Tuchel's first job in management since he was dismissed by Chelsea in September. The Champions League winner, who has previously coached the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain, is one of the most admired managers in Europe after winning silverware in three different countries.
Nagelsmann's assistants Dino Toppmoller, Benjamin Gluck and Xaver Zembrod have also been relieved of their duties. Tuchel has signed a contract with Bayern until June 2025.
"When we signed Julian Nagelsmann for FC Bayern in the summer of 2021, we were convinced we would work with him on a long-term basis - and that was the goal of all of us right up to the end," said Bayern's CEO Oliver Khan on Friday evening.
"Julian shares our aspiration to play successful and attractive football. But now we have come to the conclusion that the quality in our squad - despite the Bundesliga title last year - has come to the fore less and less often.
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"After the World Cup we have played less successfully and less attractively. The big fluctuations in performance have cast doubt on our goals for this season, but also our goals for the future. That is why we have acted now.
"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."
Fellow Bayern chief Hasan Salihamidzic added, "This has been the most difficult decision in my time as board member for sport at Bayern Munich. I have had an open, trusting, friendly relationship with Julian from day one. I regret the parting of the ways with Julian.
"But after a thorough analysis of the sporting development of our team, especially since January and with the experience of the second half of the previous season, we have now decided to release him. I am very grateful to Julian for what he has done for FC Bayern and I wish him all the best.”
Tuchel started his managerial career at senior level with Mainz, where he impressed to gain Dortmund's attention in the summer of 2015. He was chosen as Jurgen Klopp's successor at the Westfalenstadion and followed in his footsteps by winning silverware.
Tuchel's final game in charge of Dortmund was their 2-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB-Pokal final, as he was sacked in the summer of 2017 following rows with the club's hierarchy. The German was then given the PSG job a year later.
Tuchel won six trophies in Paris - including two Ligue 1 titles - but his failure to win the Champions League saw him dismissed in December 2020. He ended up finishing the 2020/21 campaign as a Champions League winner after being picked up by Chelsea.
The Blues sacked Tuchel in September - to the surprise of many - with Graham Potter stepping into the hot seat. Despite a third successive dismissal, Tuchel's stock remained high and it was only a matter of time before a club like Bayern came calling.
Nagelsmann, meanwhile, will feel aggrieved at his axing. The German is widely regarded as one of the best young coaches in Europe after impressive spells with Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig. He also did well at Bayern by winning the Bundesliga title last season.
Although Bayern find themselves one point behind Dortmund in the Bundesliga title race, Nagelsmann was not expected to be given the boot due to their success in Europe. Despite being pitted against Barcelona and PSG, Bayern are still in the Champions League.
Nagelsmann leaves Bayern with his reputation intact. It will only be a matter of time before a Premier League club is linked with him. Bayern's Joao Cancelo, who arrived on loan from Man City in January, reacted to news of Tuchel's imminent arrival on Thursday night.
"I've only found out now," said Cancelo. "I know I won't find Nagelsmann when I return to Munich. He wanted me at Bayern, I'd like to thank him. As for Tuchel, he made me lose a Champions League final, so I hope he will win it for me this year!"
Tuchel's first game in charge will be Bayern's Bundesliga title clash against Dortmund at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, April 1. He will take training for the first time on Monday.
