The Bayern coach finds himself taken aback. - Just 5 journalists present during Tuchel's press conference.
Thomas Tuchel (50) couldn't believe his eyes when he saw this!
During the weekend, he had a press conference planned ahead of his team's Bundesliga home game against Wolfsburg on Sunday at 17:30 (DAZN).
Odd, because in most games this season, there are usually three to four times as many reporters at these question and answer sessions with the Bayern coach! Tuchel, with the small crowd, joked: "So five journalists... it's getting there..."
What could have caused the small number of reporters? Well, fewer media report on a Saturday than on a workday. And since Bayern had already lost in the Champions League semifinals against Real Madrid, there were no more titles on the line for Munich in their last two league matches against Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim on May 18th. Bayer Leverkusen had already won the championship in mid-April, and Tuchel's squad had been eliminated from the cup in November 2023 against a third-division team, Saarbrücken.
So, of course, the coach was asked by the quintet of journalists if the preparation for the Wolfsburg game was a bit more relaxed than usual, like in terms of video analysis.
Tuchel did explain that he hadn't yet held a video session with the team by Friday lunchtime and that this would be slightly shorter. However, he made it clear: "It won't be like Franz Beckenbauer, who once said 'Go out and play soccer! I don't want to set an example that I don't care. We'll figure out how the team is doing and then give some playing time to guys who have been itching for it lately."
He continued by stating: "We're top athletes. You can't give in to that - even if it's a human instinct. We'll find the right balance to make sure the team is well-prepared but not overwhelmed with information and meetings."
Although they can no longer win any titles, there is still a reason for Bayern to prepare well for Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim. If they finish second ahead of VfB Stuttgart, Munich will get a chance to compete for the German Super Cup. If Leverkusen also win the DFB Cup against second-division Kaiserslautern on May 25th, the Bundesliga runners-up would play the Werkself for the first mini-title of the new season on August 17th.
Coach Tuchel also has a personal motivation for the Wolfsburg game: after all, it will be his last home game as Bayern's coach before he leaves at the end of the season.
The only thing that's certain for the coach is that he doesn't expect any attention from the club for his farewell. Tuchel said: "No flowers will be given for early contract termination without a title."
However, as a gesture of respect, Bayern will likely present their departing coach with a small token of appreciation for his 15 months at Säbener Straße on Sunday...
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Source: symclub.org
