Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Bayern Munich, Thomas Tuchel, Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United, Champions League, Austria, Bundesliga
Chris Byfield
Topics: Bayern Munich, Thomas Tuchel, Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United, Champions League, Austria, Bundesliga
Bayern Munich have confirmed they have held positive talks with a prospective new manager.
With Thomas Tuchel set to leave Bayern at the end of the season, it appears the Bavarian giants have identified Ralf Rangnick as his ideal replacement.
The 65-year-old, who is currently preparing for the European Championships where he will take charge of Austria, endured a torrid sixth-month interim spell at Manchester United in his last role in club management.
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Nevertheless, Bayern are widely reported to have offered Rangnick a contract until 2027, with the Austrian said to be keen on the role.
"We are in good talks with Ralf but we have to wait a few more days," Bayern chairman Herbert Hainer admitted to AZ Munich after his side’s 2-2 draw at home to Real Madrid in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-finals. "He is an excellent expert on the football scene. If it happens, he's a very good choice."
Rangnick would take over from Tuchel after Austria’s involvement at Euro 2024. The former Schalke, Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig boss has lost just one of his 14 games in charge of Austria but has been drawn in Group D of this summer’s tournament alongside France, the Netherlands and Poland.
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Rangnick revealed last week he had spoken to Bayern chiefs but insisted his decision would not be motivated by money.
"That doesn't matter to me at all," the 65-year-old said. "For me it's about other things: can I make a difference? Is there a chance of developing a team and being successful?
"My focus is on the Austrian national team. We are completely focused on the European Championship."
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Tuchel is set to leave Bayern, having failed to win the club the Bundesliga title this term for the first time in over a decade.
Nevertheless, a contingent of Bayern supporters want Tuchel to stay should Rangnick be his successor, with a petition to keep the German in charge having gained 12,000 signatures before Saturday's 2-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Tuchel responded by saying: "Even though this topic is good for me when [the fans] wish you to stay, it's not something that is a priority.
"It isn't allowed to be a priority. In the next 11 days, it's only about football, nothing else. Whether it's pleasant or unpleasant, I don't allow myself to be influenced by it."