Bayern Munich have slammed "non-factual statements" suggesting that Thomas Tuchel has touted himself as a replacement for departing Barcelona head coach Xavi.
Barcelona will soon be on the lookout for a new boss after Xavi announced on Saturday that he will be stepping down from his post at Camp Nou at the end of the season.
Tuchel raised eyebrows just 24 hours later when he revealed his ambition of working in Spain at some stage in his career during a fan event.
"Moving abroad would appeal to me again," said the 50-year-old. "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."
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Such comments have stimulated claims that Tuchel was hinting at the prospect of wanting to take over at Barcelona next season when Xavi departs.
However, Bayern Munich have issued a strong response to those "false" rumours and have shut down suggestions that the German will be leaving the Bavarian giants.
A club statement from CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and sporting director Christoph Freund read: "Our head coach Thomas Tuchel was asked by supporters on Sunday as part of a fan club visit about his coaching career and his previous experiences abroad at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, and naturally provided information about this during the discussion.
"He also answered general questions from fans about Spain as a footballing country. He never spoke about Xavi Hernandez and his successor, as was falsely claimed afterwards.
"We will no longer accept such non-factual statements directed against our coach, which always come from the same source."
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Tuchel has come under scrutiny in recent weeks as his Bayern side currently trail Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen at the halfway stage.
The German coach heavily criticised his players following a surprise 1-0 home defeat to mid-table side Werder Bremen last week, but the Bavarians have since won their last two games against Union Berlin and Augsburg to move to within two points of Leverkusen, whom they face in less than two weeks' time.
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been linked with the Barcelona job, but the 41-year-old has since slammed "fake" rumours and insists that he is "in the right place with the right people" at the Emirates Stadium.
Outgoing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann have also been linked with the Barca managerial vacancy.
Oliver Thomas
