12 October 2023 , 12:30
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Bayern Munich legend and honorary president Uli Hoeness has criticised manager Thomas Tuchel for voicing his "unwise" demands in the summer transfer window.
Tuchel spent pre-season and the first few weeks of the Bundesliga campaign particularly bemoaning his lack of a No.6 in midfield, and on deadline day Bayern saw their £55million deal to sign Fulham star Palhinha collapse after the player had a medical. German reports continue to suggest that tension has been building between Tuchel and the Bayern hierarchy since his appointment in April.
Now, Hoeness has taken a swipe at the former Chelsea boss, clearly unhappy about his decision to go public with his transfer demands. "Those statements are a feast for the media, especially the tabloids," the ex-Bayern forward, a three-time European Cup and Bundesliga winner, is quoted as saying by NTV.
"Some, including the coach, made unwise statements, because I shouldn't make my own team look bad by saying our squad is too thin. We don't have a thin squad."
Hoeness went on to say that while Bayern are open to making January signings in order to strengthen Tuchel's squad, players won't be brought in just for the sake of it.
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"If we feel that we need additions by then, we will do so," the former West Germany international declared. "We can't always just make sure that we live in the here and now, but that this club should be healthy for the next 10 years."
Having made England linchpin Declan Rice his top No.6 target over the summer, there'll be no chance of signing him in January following his record-breaking £105m move to Arsenal. Palhinha has also signed a new contract with Fulham, making his departure more unlikely.
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Uli Hoeness has criticised Thomas Tuchel for his public complaints (Gisela Schober/Getty Images)Tuchel's claims about lacking a recognised No.6 have even appeared to irk Bayern ace Joshua Kimmich, who firmly believes that he can play the role and has gone on record to say so. Kimmich, 28, has still been operating as the deepest-lying midfielder at the Allianz Arena this season and worn the captain's armband.
Out-of-favour centre-back Matthijs de Ligt played as a No.6 during his days as a youngster at Ajax and it's been suggested that Tuchel would be willing to use him in the role following a cameo there against Bayer Leverkusen last month. De Ligt, signed for £68m from Juventus in 2022, is currently nursing a knee injury which is expected to keep him out until November.