Thomas Tuchel confirms Bayern Munich exit despite U-turn rumours; Manchester United move hangs in balance

There will be no U-turn at Bayern Munich for Thomas Tuchelasthe outgoing manager confirmed his departure on Friday (May 17) in a pre-match press conference.Tuche was earlier reportedto beopen to staying at the German club despite his departurebeing confirmedin early February.However, those rumours were brought to an end on Friday when Tuchel addressed his final press conference.

Tuchel shuts the door on staying atBayern

“The feedback from recent weeks was the foundation for us having a discussion to stay and continue together… but wecouldn'treach an agreement. Iwon'tname the reasons. The agreement from February stands, Iam leaving Bayern,”Tuchel said in his final press conference for Bayern Munich ahead of the Hoffenheim match on Saturday.

The German was appointed Bayern Munich manager in March 2023, but with mixed results and poor form at the turn of the year, the management pulled the plug and decided to part ways with him.

However, the German sidesinceFebruarywas trying hard to convince several targets but failed on each occasion.

Thelist ofpotential candidates included former boss and now Germany national team manager Julian Nagelsmann, former Manchester United interim manager Ralf Ragnick and BayerLeverkusen’sXabi Alonso. However, all of them turned down the chance to become manager,leaving Bayern with no option but to discuss a potential stay for Tuchel.

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Despitethe announcement ofhis departure in the summer, the50-year-old continued to impress and led Bayern to the semifinals of the ChampionsLeaguewhere they beat Arsenal in the quarterfinal.

Theywere only denieda place in the final after a poor and controversial call in the final minute of the second leg denied them an equalising goal.

On the other side, Tuchel was also interested in staying, accordingto some reports, after Manchester United decided to pull out of negotiations in signing him as the new manager.

It will now be interesting tosee what the future holds for the German manager while a hunt for the new manager continues at Bayern.