The candidates to replace Ancelotti
October 3, 2017
Thomas Tuchel
The former Borussia Dortmund coach is the current favorite for the job and would be an appointment that makes sense for both parties. Tuchel has been out of work since being fired by Dortmund at the end of last season and has been waiting for an opportunity like this to arise. There is little doubt Tuchel would take the role, but do Hoeness and Rummenigge want to appoint him? Tuchel has been linked with the job before but overlooked, and given how Tuchel alienated his own board at Dortmund following the attack on the team bus in April, Bayern's bosses may retain doubts. Somewat tellingly, Hoeness was seen meeting Bayern's former coach Pep Guardiola in Munich on Tuesday, with Guardiola said to know who the new coach will be. And given that Guardiola and Tuchel are friends, the smart money is on the latter getting the nod.
Julian Nagelsmann
Nagelsmann has been linked with taking over at Bayern one day, but is that time now? He has built a fantastic reputation for what he's achieved at Hoffenheim, but the current opening may have arrived a little too soon for the Bundesliga's youngest coach. Appointing Nagelsmann would be a huge statement for Bayern and perhaps something of a risk given they tend to appoint established coaches with experience of winning titles. Nagelsmann lacks that and those doubts could prevent a move.
Louis van Gaal
The outspoken Dutchman and former Bayern boss has seen his odds to take over again at the Allianz Arena slashed. Could he be in line for a shock return? It remains an outside bet, but it's not beyond the realms of the possible. He may have told Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge that they could "learn a lot from this” when the pair attended Van Gaal's book launch in 2010 – and was fired six months later – but Van Gaal's tenure was largely a successful one, and he can be credited with reinventing David Alaba as a left-back and giving Thomas Müller his chance.
Diego Simeone
Simeone may be the most desirable name on this list, but the Argentine remains a long shot. He's overseen Atletico Madrid's rise to a force to rival Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain and is one of the hottest coaching properties in the world. He certainly fits the profile of manager Bayern would be seeking but does he have the personality and temperament that Hoeness and Rummenigge are seeking? And most significantly, is Bayern the club Simeone would leave his beloved Atletico for? Probably not.
Willy Sagnol
Sagnol may not have the management experience required at elite level, but could serve as a wise choice as ‘permanent interim coach' to steer Bayern to the end of the season, when their options for a permanent coach should be greater. Sagnol knows the club like the back of his hand and could be the best choice to motivate the team again. Having said this, his only game in charge so far was a disappointing 2-2 draw at Hertha Berlin. Not the greatest audition.