Hamann Stunned by Tuchel's Tell-off: "Decency Demands it"
Former German international Dietmar Hamann expressed shock at how Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel handled criticism following their win over Borussia Dortmund. "I was a bit taken aback by the way he went about it. It's also a matter of decency to do so on a certain level," Hamann told Sky90 on Sunday. Tuchel had reacted defensively to Hamann and Lothar Matthäus' criticism after Munich's 4-0 win in the Bundesliga.
Hamann acknowledged Matthäus' achievements as a record international player. The 50-year-old Tuchel had gotten into a verbal tussle with Matthäus and presenter Sebastian Hellmann during an interview on Sky TV. Similar to Hamann, Matthäus had observed Tuchel and the team with scrutiny after their unfortunate Cup exit against third-division club, 1. FC Saarbrücken.
Understanding Tuchel's Responsibility
"I recognize his need to defend himself, protect the players, protect the club – that's his duty," Hamann explained.
Yet, Hamann believed that Tuchel could've expressed what bothered him instead of reacting in such a manner. "For me, it's never about Thomas Tuchel, it's all about the matter at hand," he added, revealing his personal admiration for the coach and his good sense of humor.
Praising Dortmund's Performance
Despite Borussia Dortmund losing to Bayern Munich, Hamann commended Dortmund's performance in the match. "Even though they lost, they played a powerful game, which we rarely witnessed from Bayern this season in the Bundesliga," he noted.
Criticizing Tuchel's Tactics
Hamann, however, remained critical of Tuchel's tactics. "For the first time in eight months under Tuchel, they demonstrated a game that impressed me; from the start to the finish, it was really strong," he praised. But he also lamented the team's lack of confidence and concentration throughout the season.
Enrichment Insights:
Hamann's criticism extended beyond the match against Dortmund. In fact, his concerns stemmed from Tuchel's tenure at Bayern as a whole. Hamann criticized Tuchel's tactics, behavior, and ability to handle critics. He described Tuchel's tenure as "the biggest misunderstanding since Jürgen Klinsmann," implying that Tuchel's style was ill-suited for the team. Tuchel also faced criticism for his harsh words and poor performance, resulting in 11 losses in 44 games, significantly impacting the team's overall standing.
Upon his departure, Bayern went through a lengthy search for a new coach. Despite appointing Vincent Kompany, the team continues to struggle, with key players like Joshua Kimmich hesitating to extend their contracts and others underperforming. Young talents like Mathys Tel have also expressed dissatisfaction due to limited playing time.
