Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel is under pressure following his team’s surprising 2-1 defeat to third-tier team Saarbrücken in the German Cup. Tuchel, who previously managed Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, tried to downplay the loss and emphasized the need to move on. However, there are concerns about his overall record at Bayern Munich, as he has averaged 2.04 points per game, lower than his record at Chelsea and less than his predecessor, Julian Nagelsmann.
One area where Tuchel has been successful is in the league, averaging 2.33 points per game, which is his second-best return in a domestic league over his managerial career. This has helped Bayern remain competitive in the Bundesliga, where they currently sit second in the table, two points behind Bayer Leverkusen. If winning the league is the club’s main priority, then Tuchel has been performing well in that regard.
However, the problem for Tuchel at Bayern seems to be his inability to win knockout games. In the eight months since joining the club, he has won just one out of five knockout games. This includes last season’s defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals and being knocked out of the German Cup twice. This is in contrast to his previous success in knockout competitions, such as reaching two German Cup finals with Borussia Dortmund and reaching the Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain.
The upcoming “Der Klassiker” tie against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga is crucial for Tuchel, as a win would alleviate some of the pressure he is facing. Additionally, success in the Champions League later in the season will be important for him to secure his position at Bayern Munich.
Overall, while Tuchel remains confident and focused on moving forward after the loss to Saarbrücken, there are concerns about his record at Bayern Munich, particularly in knockout games. His ability to deliver results in crucial matches will be under scrutiny, and the upcoming matches against Dortmund and in the Champions League will be pivotal in determining his future at the club.
