Thomas Tuchel was spotted jokingly giving Leory Sane a kick up the backside in his first training session as Bayern Munich manager.
Tuchel was officially unveiled as Julian Nagelsmann's successor on Monday, ruling the rule over his new squad for the first time the following day. Only seven first-team players were in attendance as the majority of the squad travel back from international duty.
One of those players was Sane, who impressed under Nagelsmann before the 35-year-old was sacked. It appears that Tuchel is taking a light-hearted approach as he introduces his methods to his new squad ahead of a crucial run of games.
He showed that with his greeting of Sane as the session at Bayern's Sabener Strasse training base got underway. Tuchel first gathered the group in a circle to give an introductory message before the players split off.
As Sane jogged past him, Tuchel turned and gave the winger a gentle kick on the backside. The Bayern boss later pulled Sane away from the group to have a one-to-one conversation.
Tuchel put his players through their paces in their first session together, with co-ordination exercises, a passing game and intense match situation drills. The session comes at the start of a huge 10-day run.
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They first face Bundesliga title rivals Borussia Dortmund, before a DFB-Pokal quarter-final clash with Freiburg and ending with the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.
Tuchel will be hoping Sane can continue his fine form, with the winger having scored 13 goals and notched seven assists in all competitions this term. He had not been part of Bayern's training sessions earlier in the international break.
According to Bild, he was instead granted time off to visit his family, who are based in England. The visit of Dortmund will be Tuchel's first game in charge, with the German under no illusions as to size of the task he faces.
"The challenge of starting with the match against Dortmund couldn't be greater. It's a massive game for all of us," said the new Bayern boss. "It's taken on an added edge because of us falling behind in the table and BVB's incredible run.
"It's about generating trust and anticipation, and getting started together. And it's about laying down a first marker on Saturday. It's an honour and a distinction to be approached by Bayern.
"When you work abroad for a while, you become even more aware of the importance of FC Bayern. The club's DNA involves a commitment. Bayern is about winning, also about the way of winning.
"The squad is one of the most talented and best squads in Europe. I'm really looking forward to working with this squad. You're a contender for every trophy with these players. It's also a big commitment."
