Bayern confirm ‘very good’ talks with Ralf Rangnick to replace Tuchel | Football

The Bavarians identified Austria head coach Rangnick last month after first-choice target Xabi Alonso announced he would be staying with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen for at least another season.

After his stint as Manchester United’s interim manager, Rangnick took charge of the Austrian national team in April 2022 and will lead the side at this summer’s Euros where he faces a challenging group of Poland, France and the Netherlands.

Rangnick is believed to be keen to return to club management with Bayern and talks are now ramping up, with Bayern hoping to wrap up a deal in the coming days.

‘We are in very good talks with Ralf, but now we have to wait a few more days,’ Hainer told Sky Sport Germany following Bayern’s 2-2 draw with Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

‘He is an excellent expert on the football scene. He has enormous skills in developing players and teams.

‘Everything I hear from those around the Austrian national team is very, very positive, and we ourselves have players who work under him.

‘If he were to come, he would be a very good choice for us. Hopefully it won’t take too long.

‘We’ll have to wait and see when we give the final go-ahead. It won’t be too long before we know which direction we’re going in.’

CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen was a little more cryptic when asked about Bayern’s managerial search, saying: ‘It’s like the weather forecast: sometimes the showers come in April when you don’t expect them, sometimes the sun comes in May.’

Tuchel announced in February that he would be stepping down as Bayern boss at the end of the season, a decision he will stick to despite supporters setting up an online petition calling on the club to keep him.

Asked about the rumours that old mentor Rangnick could succeed him at the Allianz Arena, Tuchel said: ‘This question is like the noise-making neighbour at 3am in the morning, if we’re honest.

‘I’ll set my headphones to noise-cancelling mode and ignore that. This topic won’t help me tomorrow, and won’t help me on Tuesday, and it’s not my topic.’

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