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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 Madrid37297187266194
2Barcelona37257577433482
3GironaGirona37246778463278
4Atletico MadridAtletico372341068432573
5Athletic Bilbao371811860372365
6Real Sociedad371612951371460
7Real BetisBetis37141494845356
8Villarreal371410136464052
9Valencia37139153843-548
10AlavesAlaves37129163545-1045
11Osasuna37128174455-1144
12Getafe371013144152-1143
13Sevilla371011164752-541
14Celta Vigo371010174455-1140
15Las PalmasLas Palmas37109183246-1439
16Rayo Vallecano37814152947-1838
17Mallorca37716143143-1237
18CadizCadiz37615162549-2433
RGranada3749243872-3421
RAlmeria37212233774-3718


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