Thomas Tuchel reacted angrily to a question about his future with Bayern Munich on Friday, ahead of Sunday’s meeting with his potential successor in Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness.
Despite the arrival of England captain Harry Kane, Bayern have not entirely convinced so far this season and currently sit second in the Bundesliga, four points behind Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern have a game in hand on the surprise leaders, but last week’s chastening 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt led to Tuchel receiving fierce criticism from sections of the German media.
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They face another huge test on Sunday as third-placed Stuttgart visit the Allianz Arena, and a victory for die Schwaben would see them leapfrog Bayern in the table.
Stuttgart’s stunning form under Sebastian Hoeness – the nephew of Bayern’s former forward and club president Uli Hoeness – has led to suggestions he could replace Tuchel if the champions fail to improve.
One reporter put that prospect to Tuchel at his pre-match press conference on Friday, irking the former Chelsea boss.
In response to that question, Tuchel asked: “You don’t seriously think that I’ll speculate about my possible successor here?
“I’m here now and who knows for how long.
“It doesn’t matter what I can imagine. The way Stuttgart play is impressive, that’s the signature of Sebastian and his staff.”
Full focus on #FCBVfB ????⏳#MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/NcynXrGjyV
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) December 15, 2023
Stuttgart are unbeaten in six games across all competitions, winning five of those including a 2-0 DFB-Pokal victory over Borussia Dortmund last week.
Hoeness, for his part, will not rule out joining Bayern in the future, though he is currently focused on challenging the Bavarian giants.
“I will certainly not rule anything out, but it is currently ruled out for me,” he said on Friday. “It’s not an issue and I don’t think it’s appropriate to talk about it specifically.
“When you play against Bayern in Munich, it’s not only a special game for me, but also for everyone else who goes there.
“We would like to go to Munich and annoy Bayern. At the same time, we know that it is always brutally difficult in Munich, especially when Bayern lost their last Bundesliga game.”
Hier wird sich nichts geschenkt! ????????????#VfB | #Training pic.twitter.com/hs3oBOH1Tw
— VfB Stuttgart (@VfB) December 14, 2023
