Cheerful Tuchel turns FC Bayern into fools.

Tuchel's Smile Makes FC Bayern Seem Foolish

Once again, FC Bayern is left without their coaching dream: The latest idea has also fallen through. Thomas Tuchel, who had discussions about retracting the separation agreement, has announced his departure. And he seems happy about it. This raises questions.

Thomas Tuchel was aware of what was coming and even made a little joke. Before the mandatory press conference before the Bundesliga game against TSG Hoffenheim (at 3.30pm on Sunday and in the live ticker at ntv.de), he tossed out a few words for the journalists about what it could be about. Injury list? Hoffenheim? Basic order? All nonsense, of course. The first question Tuchel had to be asked was whether he would actually remain as coach of FC Bayern. Anyone who expected anything else was a dreamer. The rumor about a possible turnaround was just too captivating.

And Tuchel answered honestly and directly: "This is the last press conference at Säbener Straße. We didn't agree on further cooperation. That's why the agreement from February will remain in place." After an embarrassing loss at VfL Bochum, the club decided a few days later to end their laborious partnership at the end of the season, despite a contract running until 2025.

Tuchel didn't want to comment on the reasons for the final separation, saying it would stay behind "closed doors." However, it was probably about "small" issues. But it's not hard to assume that having significant say in transfer policies and an extension of his contract were incompatible points. That would have been the only way for the coach to leave this unusual backwards flip situation with some face-saving. He would not have been seen as a pawn for a possible coup with Jürgen Klopp, Xabi Alonso, or Pep Guardiola the following summer. Perhaps the demands were so overwhelming that the club couldn't meet them. The coach had the upper hand. He was able to negotiate as easily as a water salesman in the desert after the denials from his potential successors.

The Bizarre Scene at Säbener Straße

It was quite bizarre. There was a coach, completely at peace with himself, announcing a significant decision. Of course, FC Bayern had never publicly acknowledged they were in talks with Tuchel to stay. But the media coverage was so widespread that the club should have publicly announced their decision. This way, FC Bayern lost control of communication. They looked silly and Tuchel could walk away with a smile. After a frustrating season, with a championship lost to BVB on the final matchday last season, with criticism of the squad, demands, player demotions, and open helplessness about the inconsistency of his players. He even started a pointless debate about "Thomas Müller games."

What next? Who wants to become the coach of the record champions? The list of options can't be too long. Roberto de Zerbi (Brighton Hove & Albion) is still rumored to be in the running. Perhaps Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace) will be interesting again. The Austrian wants to, but his club doesn't. Or only for an alleged astronomical transfer fee somewhere close to 100 million euros. Hansi Flick, once a favorite, is said to be out of the running. No matter, a favored candidate can't be sold either. Mocks fly around on social media. There are calls for Jürgen Klinsmann to make a comeback. No matter, the new man is tainted by being nothing more than plan E, F, G, X, Y, or Z. This is a severe blow to his authority, even before he steps into the coaching ring.

Max Eberl is also in trouble

And of course, Max Eberl, who took over as the new sports director just a few days after the decision to sever ties in mid-February, is facing trouble too. He wanted to have this task completed by April. Ha! It's turning into an eternal wait. The fact that he didn't say goodbye to Tuchel in his own arena last weekend can be seen in retrospect as evidence that he bet everything on the old new coach. In vain.

"I strongly believe that we all leave a mark behind us," Tuchel stated. "We have every right to be proud of the 15 months we spent together." While you could argue that "a title-less season with Bayern Munich is never satisfactory," taking a closer look at the situation reveals a more complex picture. Bayer Leverkusen's exceptional team was just too powerful for the self-absorbed and constantly restless FC Bayern, who would have won many seasons with their point tally. However, the embarrassment in the cup against Saarbrücken, a third-division team, stands in stark contrast to the outstanding league season.

Tuchel confessed that it was difficult for him to part ways with the team. In recent times, he and the players had formed a strong bond. This is evident in one particular photo taken after the Champions League quarter-final win against Arsenal, depicting a beaming Tuchel. But then, Uli Hoeneß lashed out at him through the FAZ. The coach's admission of being "badly hurt by the insults to my coaching honor" seemed to signal the end of any hopes of him staying. Despite an online petition signed by nearly 20,000 fans pleading for his return, Tuchel denied that Hoenneß's attack played a role in his decision. They had addressed the matter during the Champions League game against Real Madrid - "and resolved the issue."

A surreal, ongoing farce

Yet, he gave a hint about his future plans. When asked about Aleksandar Pavlović's nomination for the DFB team and his role in the youngster's development, he answered, "Some say this, others say that." Huge laughter ensued in the room. A sarcastic nod to Tegernsee.

It's been an unbelievable spectacle for weeks, with countless coaches expressing their desire to join Bayern. Even though only Felix Magath comes to mind, it still made for sensational headlines. The show continues, however, as Bayern desperately needs a coach. Players need to know who will be leading them and what their roles will be. And sporting director Eberl needs to coordinate with a match director to determine which players will stay, leave, or come in. A team without a manager is no longer appealing, even for a club of Bayern's caliber. The club's loss of direction can no longer be ignored. And the title-holders are gradually turning into a sham giant in the world of football.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of other "giants" struggling right now. From Manchester United's (tragic) theatrical mess, where Erik ten Hag, a former coach of Bayern's reserve team, is stumbling (ironically, Tuchel is being linked as his potential successor and the Dutchman is also said to be a candidate for the Munich job), to FC Barcelona, where Xavi could stay or be replaced by Tuchel or Flick (or not).