BERLIN: Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund guaranteed coach Thomas Tuchel would be in the dugout for Tuesday’s Champions League game at Arsenal despite Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Heidenheim.
Bayern had a two-goal lead at half-time but conceded three goals to the promoted club, which left Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen — who won 1-0 at Union Berlin — on the cusp of a first Bundesliga title.
Leverkusen are 16 points clear and need just one win from their remaining six games to lift the title, with Bayern having won the previous 11 league crowns.
Freund told reporters Tuchel would “100 percent” be in charge for the quarter-final first leg in London, despite admitting “losing twice in a week is incredible.”
“In three days we’ve got a very important match. Thomas was trying to bring back energy, to see what things need to be changed and what isn’t working,” he said.
Tuchel won the Champions League as Chelsea coach in 2021, having taken Paris Saint-Germain to the final the year before, when they lost to Bayern.
Bayern lost at home to Borussia Dortmund last Saturday, the visitors’ first win in Munich since 2014.
Freund also reserved some harsh criticism for Bayern’s players, saying giving up the lead was “unacceptable.”
“Every player must look in the mirror after the match and ask themselves if they gave everything for the team,” he added.
“We cannot concede three goals in the second half after leading 2-0 at the break.
“We need to ask ourselves questions as a group. This is not acceptable.”
Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt, who has been in charge for over 16 years and taken the club to the top flight from the fifth tier of German football, implied Bayern were complacent.
“A lot of teams come here and think about how big the win will be. But we took risks and attacked the goal in the second half.”
Tuchel’s job safe for Arsenal tie, insist Bayern
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Tuchel’s job safe for Arsenal tie, insist Bayern
- Bayern had a two-goal lead at half-time but conceded three goals to the promoted club
- Leverkusen are 16 points clear and need just one win from their remaining six games to lift the title
Man City close to Guehi signing: Palace boss Glasner
- City have stepped up their pursuit of Guehi in a deal reportedly worth $27m after suffering an acute injury crisis at center-half
- “Latest understanding, the deal with Marc is in the final stages,” Glasner said
LONDON: Manchester City are in the “final stages” of completing a deal for England defender Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said on Friday.
City have stepped up their pursuit of Guehi in a deal reportedly worth £20 million ($27 million) after suffering an acute injury crisis at center-half.
Guehi, who came close to joining Liverpool on transfer deadline day in September, would become City’s second signing of the January transfer window after their capture of winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth last week for about £65 million.
The 25-year-old captained Palace to FA Cup success in May against City — the first major trophy in the south London club’s history — and has won 26 England caps.
Other clubs reportedly interested in the defender, including Liverpool once again and Bayern Munich, were understood to be targeting a move at the end of the season, when Guehi was due to be a free agent.
“Latest understanding, the deal with Marc is in the final stages,” Glasner said on the eve of Palace’s Premier League match at Sunderland.
“We can’t confirm, but it is not done. The result is Marc doesn’t play tomorrow for us.”
The Palace boss added: “When the players want to move on, a deal will happen. It looks like it has happened now.
“Everyone wanted Marc to stay forever. I talked to him, of course, it stays between us. Marc showed it in the summer transfer window, showed it the whole autumn that he was 100 percent committed to the team and to Crystal Palace.
“I wish him all the best for the rest of his career. He is still at the beginning of his great career. He is a fantastic guy.”
City manager Pep Guardiola stressed he had “nothing to say” about the potential transfer at his own press conference ahead of his side’s match at Manchester United.
The club are currently without senior center-backs John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol due to injury, while Nathan Ake has struggled to play more than once a week due to fitness issues.
Guardiola, whose team are second in the Premier League, six points behind Arsenal, said the club were “in a difficult situation for not one game but a long, long period,” adding: “Ruben will be back soon. Josko, no. John, hopefully we’ll see.”
City are also still challenging for silverware in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
Glasner also said Friday he would leave Palace when his own contract expired at the end of the season.
