Bayern Munich confirms ongoing talks to replace Thomas Tuchel with Ralf Rangnick; decision on managerial future expected within a week

Bayern Munich executive Uli Hoeness has revealed the club will make a decision on their managerial future in the coming days.

The Bavarian giants have endured a disappointing campaign under former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel this season, with the club’s run of 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles coming to end at the hands of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.

Alonso’s extraordinary success in his first full season of senior management led to reports Bayern had earmarked the 42-year-old as their top target before he ultimately confirmed he would remain at the BayArena.

Since then former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has emerged as a potential successor in the dugout and the Austria manager revealed earlier this week that he had been in talks over the soon-to-be vacant role.

According to a report from German publication Frankfurter Allgemeine, former Bayern president Hoeness claimed that a decision will be made within the next week.

The former Man United boss has emerged as the top contender to succeed Thomas Tuchel at the Bavarian club

‘Yes, there are talks ongoing with Ralf Rangnick,’ he said. ‘I think we will have a decision within a week.’

Bayern announced earlier this season that current boss Tuchel will depart the club at the end of his first full season in charge of the club.

However, more than 12,000 supporters have since signed a petition calling on their club to renege on the ‘atrocious’ decision to sack Tuchel while insisting they do not want Rangnick to take his place.   

Asked about the speculation surrounding his successor, the 50-year-old insisted that while he is flattered by the fans’ campaign he is solely focused on seeing out the season.

‘Even though this topic is good for me when they wish you to stay, it’s not something that is a priority and it isn’t allowed to be a priority.’ Tuchel said at a press conference on Friday.

‘In the next 11 days it’s only about football, nothing else. We want to achieve all we can and to gather as many points as possible in the Bundesliga to get the best result and to reach the final of the Champions League.

‘Whether it’s pleasant or unpleasant, I don’t allow myself to be influenced by it. We’re only focusing on every day counting towards our goals and there’s no exception.’

Despite their struggles domestically, Bayern remain in contention in the Champions League, having defeated Arsenal over two legs earlier this month to book their place in the semi-finals.

A search for a successor to Tuchel has been ongoing since the club announced he would depart at the end of the season

But supporters have voiced their discontent over the club’s decision to sack their manager 

Tuchel admitted the ongoing hunt for a new manager is a distraction as he attempts to guide the club to Champions League glory

Die Roten play host to Real Madrid on Tuesday as they look to book their place in the final of the competition, and Tuchel added reports of the club’s interest in Rangnick are a distraction from his task at hand.

‘This question is like the noise-making neighbour at three in the morning, if we’re honest.’ He continued.

‘I’ll set my headphones to noise-cancelling mode and ignore that. This topic won’t help me tomorrow, and won’t help me on Tuesday, and it’s not my topic.’