Thomas Tuchel bites back at Bayern Munich chief Uli Hoeness’ claims that he ‘can’t improve players’, saying he is ‘offended deeply as a coach’ and questions timing ahead of Real Madrid showdown
- Thomas Tuchel dismissed Uli Hoeness’s criticism of his attitude as ‘unfounded’
- Hoeness had suggested that Tuchel does not think he can improve players
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Thomas Tuchel has claimed he is ‘deeply offended as a coach’ and has dismissed ‘unfounded’ comments following heated criticism from Uli Hoeness.
Hoeness, Bayern Munich’s honorary chairman, had suggested the manager does not have the willingness or ability to improve his players.
Tuchel is leaving this summer and they are in talks with Ralf Rangnick to replace him, but more than 17,000 fans have signed a petition demanding he stays.
The unrest between Tuchel and Hoeness is not doing the club any good on the way to the first leg of the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday with Real Madrid.
“It deeply offends me as a coach,” Tuchel said.
Thomas Tuchel has responded to Uli Hoeness’ criticism of his attitude, saying he is ‘deeply offended as a coach’
Hoeness, the honorary chairman of Bayern Munich, claimed Tuchel believes he cannot improve players
‘If we have proven anything in the coaching team over the past fifteen years, it is that young players – especially from the youth academy – always have a place with us in training and, by performing, always have a place on the pitch.
‘And we have now proven that! I know very little about it. I find it absolutely unfounded!
‘This is actually so far removed from reality that I would not have responded to it at all if it had not come from Uli.
‘The fact that it comes from our boss before Real gives it a different touch.’
Hoeness, a regular critic of Tuchel, had said: ‘He doesn’t think he can improve on a Davies, Pavlovic or Musiala. If it doesn’t work, get someone else.
‘I think you have to work hard at it and give them confidence.’
Hoeness said he expects a coach to “improve young players.”
The Bayern legend has been making fun of Tuchel all season.
Tuchel, who is leaving this summer, questioned the timing of Hoeness’ comments as a Champions League clash with Real Madrid approaches
Bayern are in talks with former Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick to replace Tuchel
After Tuchel complained about the depth of the squad last summer, Hoeness said: ‘These statements are a treat for the media, especially the tabloids.
‘Some, including the coach, have made unwise statements, because I should not make my own team look bad by saying that our team is too thin. We don’t have a lean team!’
While Bayern have lost the Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal, they can make up for it by winning the Champions League.
For anyone who thought that the feud between Tuchel and Hoeness could destabilize them and lead to a critical confrontation, Thomas Muller expressed his blunt thoughts.
“There will be no disturbing noises from us,” he said, revealing that he told club legend Oliver Kahn: “I don’t care about it.”
