Just before the match that should save the season, Tuchel receives harsh criticism from Bayern

NOS Football•today, 2:21 PM

As soon as Thomas Tuchel is asked another question about Uli Hoeness, the Bayern Munich coach points to his forehead with two index fingers. “I’m just thinking about Real Madrid, let’s talk about that match,” Tuchel said at the press conference for the Champions League semi-final.

While Bayern Munich prepares for the match that will save the season, Tuchel is even under fire internally. The outgoing coach was severely criticized by club icon Hoeness last week.

The former chairman of Bayern, currently a member of the supervisory board and honorary chairman, told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that young Bayern players such as Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala had not improved under Tuchel.

This weekend after the Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt (2-1 win), Tuchel snapped back: “Those words have hurt my honor as a coach. I have very little understanding for this absolutely unfounded criticism.”

However, in conversation with Kicker today, Hoeness does not take anything back from his statements, on the contrary. “Tuchel would rather demand that we buy new players than develop the current group.”

In February it was announced that 50-year-old Tuchel will leave Munich at the end of this season. Last season, Bayern managed to miraculously win the national title under the coach on the last match day. This year the club did not become champion for the first time in eleven years.

The Champions League is the only way for Tuchel to end his time at Bayern on a positive note. The internal criticism therefore comes at a very inopportune time. “I don’t want to go into that subject anymore,” the coach said again at the press conference. “It’s already over for me.”

Before Tuchel appeared at the press conference, defender Joshua Kimmich also answered questions from the press. The 29-year-old German stood up for his trainer – albeit somewhat cumbersomely – when he was asked point-blank whether he had improved under Tuchel.

“I have played in different positions at the back and in midfield, which helps you in your development as a player. This season we have used different playing styles. Sometimes fast and attacking, sometimes leaning more back on the counter. I think every player was able to learn something from that.”

But Kimmich also preferred to talk about the meeting with Real Madrid. It will be the 21st time that both teams have faced each other in the Champions League, making it the most played match in the history of the tournament.

“Everyone who loves football wants to see this match. As a player you want to be at your best,” Kimmich said.

“Of course you notice something about the situation with Tuchel and Hoeness. But as players we are not really involved. Only tomorrow’s match and next week’s return count. Other things should not distract us.”