Tuchel's Spiky Reaction Praised by Bayern Boss
Entertainingly blunt, Bayern's head honcho, Herbert Hainer, commends Thomas Tuchel's spiky reaction to the heated spat between the coach and former Germany players, Lothar Matthäus and Dietmar Hamann. "I think it's great that Thomas has put his foot down," chimed Hainer on MagentaSport. "I love the fact that he's standing his ground," he added. "Everyone at Bayern is under fire, and he's no exception."
For weeks, Tuchel has been locked in a feud with Sky's hot-headed analysts, Matthäus and Hamann. The tirade reached a boiling point during the thrilling showdown in Dortmund (4:0) when Tuchel seemed snarky and resentful in various interviews.
Hainer showed empathy for the embattled Tuchel, remarking: "We haven't lost a game yet, and we've crushed every opponent in the Champions League. Yes, we exited the cup. Not ideal, but accidents happen." Regarding Matthäus and Hamann, he added: "They're entitled to voice their opinions and criticisms, but sometimes it felt like every tiny misstep was the end of the world!"
Former international, Thomas Hitzlsperger, got a feel for Tuchel's cynical reaction to the barrage of criticism. As he explained on the BR program "Blickpunkt Sport" on Sunday evening, the tension had been mounting for weeks. The enraged Hitzlsperger called attention to the clubs' reluctance to put out fires, adding: "In past seasons, Hoeneß or Rummenigge would have smoothed this over. It's strange that they haven't done that this time around. And I find it frustrating that Tuchel is forced to defend himself now."
Hitzlsperger suggested that the aftershocks from the turbulent transfers phase at Bayern might be playing a role. "He must have needed two more reinforcements. Now the roster feels thin, and the club probably didn't help him out in time," said the former midfielder. "Maybe he doesn't feel the support he requires right now. When the cracks begin to show, he deserves backup."
Despite the heated discord with Matthäus and Hamann, Tuchel's tactical decisions have steered Bayern Munich to a dominant run in the Champions League, where they've yet to taste defeat. Tuchel's tenacious plan has not gone unnoticed, as Lothar Matthäus's long-time teammate and Bayern Munich's President, Herbert Hainer, approved wholeheartedly.
Tuchel's approach at Bayern Munich has been defined by his defensive style—an approach that Hainer has praised for its ability to withstand the pressure and garner results.
Sources:
Enrichment Insights
While the available sources do not discuss the matter in detail, we can infer some related aspects from general scrutiny:
- Tension with Joshua Kimmich: Plenty of criticism has been aimed at Joshua Kimmich for his apparent reluctance to sign a new contract, potentially stirring up discord between teammates.
- Bayern's High Press: The high press employed by Bayern Munich was analysed in an article that discussed its advantages and vulnerabilities, but the focus remained primarily on tactics rather than an explicit critique of Tuchel.
- General Criticism: Matthäus and Hamann have not minced their words when it comes to criticising Tuchel and the team, but the sources typically focus on specific aspects of the team's performance or individual player issues rather than harping on the coach's tactics.
- Tuchel's Record at Chelsea: Tuchel's record of success with Chelsea at the back has been lauded, making him a formidable figure amidst his critics. However, this does not directly relate to the specific criticisms from Matthäus and Hamann.
In summary, while there's no direct information on Tuchel's specific response to criticism, the context suggests that the criticism would primarily focus on individual and team performance than the coach's tactics. Tuchel's defense would likely involve addressing the points raised by Matthäus and Hamann.
