- Thomas Tuchel is on the verge of avoiding a sack despite Bayern Munich’s dismal form
- Their 3-2 defeat against Bochum leaves them eight points behind Bayer Leverkusen
- IAN LADYMAN: If I needed a new heart, I’d want Harry Maguire’s! Listen to the It all starts podcast
Bayern Munich will not sack Thomas Tuchel despite trailing Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen by eight points after losing to Bochum, reports claim.
The pressure on Tuchel is rapidly increasing as the German giants eye their first trophyless season in 12 years, and their shock 3-2 defeat on Sunday proved to be their third damaging defeat in a row in all competitions.
In a surprise move, Bayern canceled the boss’s post-match press conference, leading to speculation that they would soon pull the trigger in a bid to save their season.
However, Heaven Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg revealed that Tuchel will remain in his post and that he refuses to consider stepping down due to his desire to continue fighting.
A nightmare week for Bayern also saw them lose to Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen, who won emphatically 3-0, and to Lazio in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Thomas Tuchel will reportedly not be sacked by Bayern Munich despite their loss to Bochum
Bayern are facing their first season without trophies in twelve years and are eight points behind first place
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But Tuchel has received support from club CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, with the kingpin insisting the embattled head coach will not be sacked.
“I feel bad,” Dreesen said after the game. ‘I don’t believe in big statements about the coach. This issue does not concern us at this time.”
When asked if Tuchel would be at the helm next week, he replied: “Of course.”
Bayern took the lead against Bochum through Jamal Musiala, although the match was interrupted twice by supporters’ protests over private investment in the Bundesliga.
However, the home side turned the game on its head before half-time after Takuma Asano and Keven Schlotterbeck both scored, leaving Bayern reeling again.
Kevin Stoger then scored Bochum’s third from the penalty spot before under-fire defender Dayot Upamecano was sent off for the second time in as many games.
Tuchel will remain in charge next week, Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen has confirmed
Underdogs Bochum fought back from behind to take a 3-1 lead and held on for three points
Despite Harry Kane’s 25th Bundesliga goal of the season, Bayern fell to a third straight defeat
And despite Harry Kane scoring his 25th league goal of the season late on, Bayern couldn’t spare their blushes and claim a share of the spoils.
“I don’t think today’s defeat was fair, I think a lot happened against us today,” Tuchel said.
“I think we had an expected goals value of 3.4 and we had four, five, six top chances.
‘We completely dominated the match and actually fell behind out of nowhere.
‘We remained committed to the end and then played with one man less. We had a lot of disappointments today. I think today’s defeat is different from the previous two.’
Bayern will be back in action on February 24 against RB Leipzig in the top flight.