19 February 2024 , 23:07
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Bayern Munich are eyeing up Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a potential interim manager if they axe Thomas Tuchel.
The Bavarians have lost their last three matches, which has left them eight points behind Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and facing a potential exit from the Champions League. That has increased the pressure on Tuchel, who told his players that they are "not as good as I thought" after last week's 1-0 defeat at Lazio.
Xabi Alonso has been earmarked as a long-term replacement for Tuchel, while Hansi Flick is a name that' been mentioned for the role if Tuchel is sacked now. However, former Manchester United boss Solskjaer is another name in the frame.
Bayern are 'monitoring' the 50-year-old, according to Sky Germany. Solskjaer is understood to be ready to return to management after being out of coaching for over two years. But Bayern's preference, is possible, is to stick with Tuchel until at least the end of the season, despite the issues surrounding his management and fallouts with important players, such as Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.
Solskjaer left United in November 2021 and hasn't been back in management since. During his time at Old Trafford, the Norwegian helped United to a second place finish in the 2020/21 season.
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He was sacked after a mixed start to the following season and a 4-1 defeat at Watford, which left the Red Devils seventh on 17 points from their opening 12 matches. Speaking to The Athletic last year on his axe at United, Solskjaer said: "Nobody told me, but I knew at half-time against Watford.
"We didn’t look like a Man United team; the players weren’t running for each other. At half-time, I told the players it was probably going to be the last time we worked together and to play with pride. We almost turned it around, until Harry Maguire got sent off."
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been without a coaching job since leaving Manchester United (Getty Images)Bayern will be looking to bounce back next weekend when they face RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena following Sunday's shock 3-2 defeat against Bochum. Bayern cancelled Tuchel's press conference after being beaten at Bochum, amid internal talks over his future.
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen did issue a public show of support for the ex-Chelsea boss however, confirming he would be in charge for their game against Leipzig. He said: "I don't believe in these monstrous statements of support for coaches. I know what you want to hear, but these oaths of loyalty are already over after a week.
"That's why I'm saying it in my own way. That's not a topic we're dealing with at the moment. We have to move on to the next ones Concentrate on games."
However, a fourth straight defeat on Saturday may well be the final straw for the Bavarian top brass.
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