Bayern set to sack Nagelsmann: reports

Former Chelsea manager Tuchel is set to join German club as they struggle domestically this season

BERLIN:

Bayern Munich were set to sack manager Julian Nagelsmann, according to German media reports Thursday, with the perennial Bundesliga winners struggling to assert themselves in the title race.

Former Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel was the favourite to replace Nagelsmann at Bayern, according to German daily Bild.

The shock sacking would come with the team second in the table, a point behind archrivals Dortmund and only four points ahead of surprise challengers Union Berlin.

Bayern's quest for an 11th Bundesliga title in a row suffered a blow on Sunday as they fell to a 2-1 loss away at Bayer Leverkusen -- their second defeat in five domestic fixtures.

After the game Bayern's sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic expressed his displeasure at the side's performance.

"We let ourselves be overrun by a team who played in midweek. That's not what it means to be Bayern Munich," he said.

Despite their uninspiring league form, Bayern remain in the hunt in the league, as well as the domestic and European cup competitions.

They brushed aside French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16, winning 3-0 across both legs.

The German champions are set to come up against the English title holders Manchester City in the quarter-finals in April.

Nagelsmann's potential replacement Tuchel won the competition with Chelsea in 2021, but has been without a club since leaving the English side in September.

Tuchel had already been in touch with Bayern in recent days, according to German sports magazine Kicker.

Nagelsmann would leave Munich after less than two years in charge.

The Bavarian side's next fixture is a clash against Dortmund in Munich on April 1.