“Leverkusen deserves their league title”. If Thomas Tuchel proves to be a good player, this first championship title for Xabi Alonso’s men puts an end to Bayern’s 11-year hegemony. Usually so sovereign on German soil, Thomas Müller, in the ranks of the club located in Bavaria since 2008, and his teammates saw Bayer Leverkusen be crowned this Sunday for the first time in its history, 120 years after its creation.
Following this disappointment, Bayern now has its eyes fixed on the Champions League. This quest begins this Wednesday, with the reception of Arsenal at the Allianz Arena in the quarter-final second leg of the most prestigious European competition. After a first leg match ended with a score of 2-2, everything remains to be done for the Germans. Thomas Tuchel’s men will have to deploy to reach the semi-finals. A stage of the competition that they have not reached since the 2019-2020 season and their coronation during the “Final 8” in Lisbon in the midst of a health crisis.
Being empty-handed, an expression that perfectly defines Bayern’s season in Germany. The sovereign became a vassal. For the first time in 12 years, Bayern Munich has not won a single national trophy. This hasn’t happened since the 2011-2012 season, a decade. Supercup, German Cup and now Bundesliga. All these competitions have escaped the Munich people this season. It all starts on Saturday August 12, 2023. Reigning German champion, Bayern is ridiculed by Leipzig (3-0) at the Allianz Arena. Author of a hat-trick, Dani Olmo allowed his team to win the Super Cup, the first national trophy of the season.
Two and a half months later, Tuchel’s men were knocked out in the round of 32 by the small club of Saarbrücken, residents of the 3rd division. A real surprise, as the Bavarian ogre was such a favorite. “We can find many reasons. We haven’t been smart. We did some things wrong, but everything could have been different tonight,” explained Thomas Müller , captain for the evening.
In the league, Bayern’s record is 20 wins, 3 draws and 6 defeats with five games remaining. A record that did not allow them to compete for the title. The latter was obtained this Sunday by Leverkusen, the first in its 120-year history. This April 14, 2024 marked the end of Bavarian hegemony and that of… Kingsley Coman. Since his professional debut with PSG in 2012, the French international had always been crowned champion at the end of the season, whether in France (PSG), Italy (Juventus) and Germany (Bayern).
To be crowned on June 1st at Wembley, England. A beautiful dream. A complex achievement. Defeated in Germany, the Munich residents must react on the European scene, the specter of a white season hanging over their heads. To do this, they must start by getting rid of Arsenal this Wednesday. Back to back after the first leg at the Emirates Stadium (2-2), Bayern will have to fight to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League and hope to find the winner of the clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid. In the event of defeat, the Bavarians will be eliminated and the white season will then be declared. A first since 2011-2012.
During the previous round, the German club had also seen the outing against Lazio Rome of Frenchman Mattéo Gendouzi. After the first leg, Bayern were provisionally eliminated following their defeat in the Italian capital (1-0). “There is a return match, we know what we can do better,” declared Thomas Tuchel at the end of the match. A desire to do better fulfilled. At home, Kane, author of a precious double, and his teammates did not tremble (3-0) and reversed the outcome of this round of 16. Bayern are still in the list for the final victory.
Arriving at the end of March on the Munich bench to replace Julian Nagelsmann, current Germany coach, Thomas Tuchel had well-defined objectives. “I have an idea of what to do and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s about playing for all titles. My love for the game is much greater than the concerns. It’s about approaching the task with confidence and we want to win everything,” he confided during the traditional presentation press conference.
A little over a year after taking office, the 50-year-old technician failed to convince management, who announced that they were ending their collaboration on February 21. “FC Bayern Munich and head coach Thomas Tuchel have decided by mutual agreement to end their employment relationship, initially scheduled until June 30, 2025, on June 30, 2024. This is the result of a constructive discussion between CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and Thomas Tuchel”, you could read in the press release from the six-time European champion.
In the process, the principal concerned reacted by affirming that he wanted to make the club shine before his departure: “We have agreed to end our working relationship at the end of this season. Until then, I will of course continue to do everything I can with my technical staff to achieve maximum success. A wish that he can realize by going for the Champions League. But the path will be strewn with pitfalls.