Flick responds as two ex-Premier League bosses emerge as Bayern candidates

20 February 2024 , 09:42

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Hansi Flick during the friendly International match between Germany and Japan (Image: BART STOUTJESDIJK)

Hansi Flick has already rejected the prospect of returning to Bayern Munich and would be more interested in jumping in the hotseat at Barcelona this summer.

The former Germany manager has been linked with a return to the Allianz Arena with Thomas Tuchel's position at the club coming into question amid a difficult season. Bayern trail Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, need to overcome a first-leg deficit against Lazio in the Champions League and have lost their last three matches in a row.

Club chiefs are said to retain their faith in Tuchel for the moment, but that has not stopped an array of names being linked to the club. Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen expressed his support of the 50-year-old following the club's defeat to Bochum: "This issue isn't on our mind at the moment. Of course [Tuchel will be in charge next week]."

Such expressions of faith do not always guarantee job security in football however. Reports suggest that the German giants are monitoring a number of options to take the helm in Munich.

Flick won an impressive treble of the Bundesliga title, DFB-Pokal and UEFA Champions League in 2019/20 and won the resulting DFL-Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup in a successful stint in charge of Bayern. The 58-year-old most recently took charge of the German national team but was sacked in September 2023.

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Sky Germany report that Flick is not interested in a return to his former side and is more interested in other options starting in the summer. Xavi has already confirmed he will depart Barcelona at the end of the season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been touted as possible interim option should Tuchel be handed his marching orders as the club try to avoid a first trophyless season in 12 years. Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund is said to know the former United striker well and the Norwegian has been out of work since departing Old Trafford in November 2021.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been without a coaching job since leaving Manchester United (Getty Images)

Reports in Germany suggest that Antonio Conte has identified the Bundesliga side as his 'dream club' having already tasted success in England and Italy. Bayern are also said to be keeping tabs on Zinedine Zidane and Xabi Alonso.

The Spanish coach has guided Bayer Leverkusen to eight points clear of Tuchel's side so far this season and is already favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Scott Trotter