Bayern Munich considering signing Barcelona managerial target, coach honoured by Catalans’ interest
Despite having several positions in the team that need to be reinforced, Barcelona’s biggest headache heading into the summer transfer window will be finding a replacement for Xavi, who has announced his decision to leave at the end of the season.
The Spaniard claimed that he feels that his and his coaching staff’s work has not been acknowledged enough in the circumstances, and that the club needed a change of dynamic in the managerial positon.
Since then, several rumors have surfaced about how Barcelona plan to move ahead. New ones have suggested that the Spaniard could be fired mid-way through the season as results fail to improve, while some others claim a list of potential replacement is ready.
On it are some obvious names, such as Hansi Flick, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Roberto de Zerbi, Julian Nagelsmann, and some farfetched options in Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso, and Imanol Alguacil, among several others.
In between these name lies Bayern Munich’s Thomas Tuchel, who Barcelona are monitoring, as per recent reports.
Tuchel is in a difficult position with Bayern this season, with the Bavarians at the risk of losing the Bundesliga title for the first time in over a decade. They currently sit in the table, with an unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen occupying the top spot, five points clear.
As such, news from Christian Falk says that Bayern are looking at Hansi Flick to take over from Tuchel. It does not say when, but presumably at the end of the season to restart from fresh.
Leverkusen also beat Bayern 3-0 this weekend at home, with Tuchel’s side ending up with one shot on target after 90 minutes of football.
That performance definitely raised some eyebrows, but the waters were later calmed down when club CEO Dreesen confirmed that Tuchel’s job is still safe. “Nothing has changed. Deserved defeat today but we won’t give up, we keep going,” he said.
Meanwhile, Flick has been spending a lot of time at home since getting sacked from the German National Team job, and has kept a keen eye on his former team Bayern Munich. He is also honoured by Barcelona’s interest.
Barcelona have both Germans on their radar for next season, but it remains to be seen the direction they take, if at all.
