Bayern Munich has identified new targets as Thomas Tuchel’s successor next season, with some surprising names.
The 2023/24 season is almost over, and Bayern Munich has an unusual season to forget. They have failed to clinch the Bundesliga title for the first time in 13 years. What’s worse, they are under the threat of slipping to third on the table after their stunning 3-1 defeat to VfB Stuttgart last weekend. It was their seventh loss this season, and they are only two points clear of them.
Such a disappointing result came at a bad time ahead of the second leg in the Champions League semifinal. Die Roten is visiting Santiago Bernabeu to take on Real Madrid next Tuesday. Both could only muster a 2-2 draw last week. Manuel Neuer and Co. need to pick up a win on the road to reach the final. No wonder Bayern Munich tickets are bound to be in high demand for the reverse fixture. This season, the Champions League will be their only competition to save their dismal campaign. Continental silverware will be the only hope to salvage Thomas Tuchel’s reputation in Bavaria.
In the meantime, Bayern management is currently aiming for new targets to replace Tuchel. They have yet to convince Xabi Alonso and, lately, Ralf Ragnick to take up the vacant post. Both have decided to stay with the Bayer Leverkusen and Austria national teams instead of switching sides to Bavaria.
Here are the new targets for Thomas Tuchel’s successor, enlisted by Die Roten. Surprisingly, one of them has been deemed a failure for his current team, as he could not lead them to sit in the top four. It will be interesting to see if they are the right choice to be at the helm of the Bundesliga giant next season.
Julen Lopetegui
The former Wolves and Real Madrid boss is currently in high demand. Bayern is not the only team linked to the Spanish manager; there are also two other sides, West Ham United and AC Milan. It is said that he prefers to take charge of Rossoneri as they would still compete in Europe next season compared to The Hammers. However, the negotiation broke down due to concerns from Rossoneri’s fans. Now, the 2023 UEFA Conference League champion is likely the one who would secure his signature, as the talks have been in place.
Lopetegui is widely remembered for two contradictory moments. He won his first-ever title as a manager during his spell in Sevilla, when he led them to lift the Europa League trophy in 2020 after beating Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan 3-2 in the final. Yet he failed to guide his other teams, including the Spain national team and Real Madrid, to snatch a single silverware. He was sacked by Spain’s football governing body just before the 2018 FIFA World Cup due to his early agreement to be at the helm of Los Blancos after the tournament while he was still in charge of La Furia Roja. His stint in the capital was eventually cut short due to their poor form, including losing to Atletico Madrid in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup.
Erik Ten Hag
He is currently one of the few managers on the top teams who is under pressure. Ten Hag has been disappointing in his second season with Manchester United, despite guiding them to reach the FA Cup final this season.
Nevertheless, he is not short of interest for next season, should he be dismissed by the Red Devils. Bayern Munich is eyeing the Dutch boss after the rejection of their previous top targets. Ten Hag could be the strongest candidate due to his attachment to Die Roten in the past. The former Ajax boss was the coach at Bayern Munich II from 2013 to 2015.
Ten Hag has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell in Amsterdam. During his tenure, he has clinched three league titles and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League 2019. He also won the EFL League Cup in his season debut with Manchester United, which brought them a finish in the top four.
Roger Schmidt
He is one of the underrated managers today, and Bayern hopes to land him next season following his recent success in Portugal and the Netherlands. The former Bayer Leverkusen boss won a league title with Benfica last season and the KNVB Cup with PSV in 2022. Previously, he was in charge of the Chinese Super League’s Beijing Gouan and Red Bull Salzburg, where he won double titles in 2014. His spell with Bayer Leverkusen was trophyless, despite guiding them to Champions League qualification in 2015 and 2016.
Unfortunately, Schmidt himself refused to be linked with the Bayern job. The German boss intends to stay in Lisbon as he is still under contract until 2026 with a €30 million release clause. His departure seems unlikely, which would be another bad news for Die Roten.
Roberto de Zerbi
The Italian gaffer is another name in high demand. De Zerbi has been linked with high-profile teams since earlier this year, including Barcelona, Liverpool, and currently Bayern. The former Sassuolo boss was even hinted to be Pep Guardiola’s future successor in Manchester City due to his attractive football with Brighton.
De Zerbi might not have won a single title at the top level. His only silverware was snatched in Ukraine when he won the Ukraine Super Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk in 2021. Unfortunately, he could not continue his time there due to the Russian invasion. The Brescia-born manager did wait until July 2022 to depart, despite being unable to be in the dugout since the league was halted.
Yet, his success in leading Brighton to finish seventh and make a European debut in 2024, plus guiding the unknown Sassuolo to finish eighth in Italian Serie A twice without a single star player, demonstrated his potential to thrive with top teams. However, the former Napoli man during his playing years appears to be inclined to stay with the Seagulls, despite the rumours. He is expected to discuss his future with the management shortly.
