MUNICH: Bayern Munich’s search for coach Thomas Tuchel’s successor is not distracting the team from their preparations for next week’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid and the final Bundesliga matches, Tuchel said on Friday.

Bayern, who first face Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday with the league title already secured by Bayer Leverkusen, will part ways with Tuchel at the end of a disappointing domestic the season, a year earlier than his contract.

Austria coach Ralf Rangnick confirmed this week there had been contact with Bayern while some other coaches have been linked with the club.

Tuchel, however, said the team was shutting out any such distractions as they chase a spot in the Champions League final.

“In the next 11 days it can only be football and the goals we can still reach,” Tuchel told a press conference. “We want to collect points to get the best result and reach the Champions League final.

“For anything else there is just no capacity at the moment, whether it is comfortable or uncomfortable despite the many issues.”

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2024