Thomas Tuchel has reacted to moves by Bayern Munich fans to force the club to retain him as manager beyond this season.
In a report shared by The Athletic, Bayern Munich fans took to a popular online mobilization platform, Change org, to begin a petition that reads; “We want Tuchel and not Ralf.”
The petition has since garnered thousands of signatories and is gaining momentum among a significant base of Bayern Munich fans who want the German to stay.
The fans include other pricking details in the petition which reads; “other candidates don’t hold a candle,” meaning the Bavarians’ choice-candidate to take over from Tuchel is not better than Tuchel.
While Thomas Tuchel has fallen off expectations at Bayern Munich, it is believed the fans are particularly directing the petition against the move by the club’s hierarchy appoint former Man United caretaker manager and Austria national team manager Ralf Rangnick as the new manager.
Bayern Munich went for Ralf Rangnick as a potential replacement for Tuchel who is set to leave the club at the end of this season.
The club’s former manager Julian Nagelsmann was also shortlisted for the soon-to-be-vacant role but the Bavarians were dealt a big blow when the German decided to renew his contract with the German national team.
It was after Nagelsmann’s setback that a move for Ralf Rangnick was stepped up recently.
Ralf Rangnick confirmed he has been contacted by Bayern Munich but has yet to reach an agreement with the club.
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel has reacted to the solidarity moves by the fans to have him retained by the club.
In a quote shared by Fabrizio Romano, the exit-bound manager said it was pleasant that the fans want him to stay but he is not interested in the outcome of such moves and is focused on his remaining games of the season.
“For me this is a pleasant topic that people want to keep me here. But it has no priority for me”.
“I don’t want to take it as an excuse or distraction. We are in full focus on the final games.”
Tuchel, who is barely a year on the reins as Bayern Munich manager, agreed to leave the club at the end of the season following a series of dismal results in the domestic scene that saw the club tank Bundesliga title hopes.
Meanwhile, it is unlikely the fans’ petition will force the club to make a U-turn in their decision to part ways with the former Chelsea boss.
