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Thomas Tuchel hints at interest in Barcelona job

Thomas Tuchel hints at interest in Barcelona job
© Reuters
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel hints at interest in taking over as Barcelona boss following Xavi's decision to leave the club at the end of the season.

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has hinted that he would be interested in replacing Xavi as Barcelona head coach.

Xavi is set to leave the Catalan giants at the end of the season after he announced his decision following Sunday's 5-3 defeat to Villarreal.

The 44-year-old has come under scrutiny following an inconsistent campaign, which has taken a turn for the worse in the last two matches.

Losing to Villarreal followed an extra-time defeat against Athletic Bilbao in Wednesday's Copa del Rey quarter-final tie at San Mames.

With fourth-placed Barcelona currently 11 points adrift of top spot in La Liga, their only realistic chance of winning a trophy this season is by going all the way in the Champions League.

Barcelona head coach Xavi on January 21, 2024© Reuters

While Xavi will hope to oversee a successful end to his tenure, the search is already underway to find his successor.

Barcelona Atletic coach Rafael Marquez has expressed an interest in the role, while Mikel Arteta, Jurgen Klopp and Julian Nagelsmann have reportedly been included in a three-man shortlist as potential replacements for Xavi.

Tuchel has seemingly thrown his hat into the ring after the 50-year-old spoke highly of the Spanish top flight at a Bayern club event in Heidenheim.

The Bayern boss said: "Moving abroad would appeal to me again. Spain has an extraordinary league. From my perspective, and based on my experience working with Spaniards, they are characterised by a tremendous amount of self-confidence.

"When you speak with Spanish players, I quickly get the sense that you are engaging with the person."

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel reacts on January 12, 2024© Reuters

Tuchel's comments come amid some scrutiny surrounding his own position as Bayern head coach, with the Bavarians currently behind Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga title race.

Despite trailing Xabi Alonso's side, Bayern were able to close the gap to two points with a 3-2 victory over Augsburg on Saturday.

Outside of Germany, Tuchel has worked in France with Paris Saint-Germain and in England with Chelsea, where he won the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

After being sacked by Chelsea in September 2022, Tuchel was appointed Bayern boss in March of last year, signing a contract until the summer of 2025.

While he may be open to a future move to Spain, his current focus will be on Bayern's home clash with Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


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