According to a report from Miguel Delaney of the Independent, Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel might have already made his power play.
Per Delaney, Tuchel wants “assurances” on getting a new defensive midfielder and a new attacking midfielder for the 2024/25 campaign:
Thomas Tuchel wants Bayern Munich to give assurances on two specific signings before committing to a new contract. The 50-year-old has been in a series of meetings about a new deal all week, as the German club’s long wait to decide on next season’s manager looks set to end with the current manager just continuing.
One was a position he wanted filled right from the start of this season, which is a number-six. A move for Fulham’s Joao Palhinha collapsed in the last minutes of the summer window, and Tuchel believes that was actually a key moment in Bayern’s season.
While he is insistent the club make a move there, another role that he feels has gradually grown in importance has been over a playmaker. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes is one of the stars he wants, as reported by the Independent on Tuesday.
The importance may even escalate as Jamal Musiala considers the direction of his own career, amid interest from Manchester City. Tuchel is now closer to a contract with Bayern but these two signings are seen as deal-breakers.
While a true No. 6 might not currently be on the Bayern Munich squad (the Bavarians have made do with Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Konrad Laimer, and Aleksandar Pavlović playing hybrid No. 6 / No. 8 roles this season), it would add a body to an increasingly crowded midfield group. One could assume that one or more of that group move leaves the club if a new defensive midfielder was acquired.
As for the No. 10 position, that is a little more peculiar since Musiala has been anointed as Bayern Munich’s attacking midfielder of the present — and future. In addition to Musiala, Bayern Munich has veteran Thomas Müller, plus youngsters like Lovro Zvonarek and Paul Wanner in the pipeline.
Does Bayern Munich already know something about Musiala’s plans for the future?
Looking for more thoughts and analysis of Bayern Munich’s arduous hiring process for its head coaching position? What about why Hansi Flick jumped off the radar, while Thomas Tuchel has — once again — jumped to the forefront of the club’s plans? Oh, and what about the German national team roster, the bizarre roster release process, and our thoughts on some of the major omissions? Well, we have you covered for all of that with our Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show! You can get it on Spotify or below:
