“It was the right decision to part ways at the end of the season. The only question is what to do now until the end of the season,” said TV pundit Jonas Hummels after Bayern's last game, the 2-2 draw in Freiburg. The next morning, Bayern's management decided: Thomas Tuchel would remain coach.

Bayern's leaders did not want to reverse the fundamental decision they had made to continue with Tuchel until the summer, after a victory (against Leipzig) and a draw (in Freiburg). Tuchel will therefore sit on the bench for the second leg of the round of 16 against Lazio on Tuesday.

But then Bayern threatens, who are in the Bundesliga They are now ten points behind unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen and have lost their last chance to win the title of the year. Staying with the coach is a big risk for the Munich team. For three reasons:

1. Imminent exit also in the Champions League

He FC Bayern Think big. The Bundesliga is our daily bread. But success in the Champions League is crucial to the club's international appeal.

According to the image that FC Bayern has, it is always among the eight best teams Europe. An elimination against the ninth-placed team in Serie A does not fit this image of themselves at all.

There is also something at stake financially against Lazio. For winning and reaching the quarterfinals, FC Bayern would receive another 13.4 million euros from UEFA. Money that would surely be used for transfers and the planned restructuring of the team.

In other words: Bayern must advance on Tuesday. But it's hard to believe that Tuchel will achieve it. Because there is almost nothing good between the coach and the team anymore, and that did not become evident in the reactions until after the game in Freiburg.

Now Bayern faces what is already the most important game of the season with Tuchel ill. If the second leg goes badly, Tuchel will most likely leave. Only: a dismissal after a possible departure would not make much sense, because the season would end anyway. The logical thing would have been for the Bayern coaches to finish the time with Tuchel before the home game against Lazio.

2. There was no change under Tuchel, even after the split was announced

As far as Tuchel is concerned, Bayern's leaders have squandered their last trump card. In reality, the announcement of the separation in the summer was supposed to have a liberating effect. It's about achieving a change of mood without the constant discussion of background coaches.

After the last-minute victory against RB Leipzig, there was a slight glimmer of hope that the home victory could be the start of a sporting change.

But after the game in Freiburg one thing is clear: there can be no talk of change with Tuchel. The latest balance is now even worse. Bayern has achieved one victory in its last five official matches.

Above all, you have to think about the team's appearance on the field. Bayern plays without spirit. Without ideas. Without a plan. This lack of planning is due to Tuchel, explains television expert Jonas Hummels.

3. Tuchel's negative charisma

In a phase where things are not going well at the sporting level, the coach should continue to make positive progress. Tuchel would have to embody the conviction that the championship deficit can still be recovered. But there are no signs of positive charisma on his part.

“He stays sitting by the doors. Everyone applauds, he stays seated. “Personally, I don't like it at all,” added Hummels. Even against Leipzig, Tuchel reacted seemingly indifferently to the late winning goal. Only Thomas Müller made him laugh with a comment.

Tuchel conducted the interviews after the Freiburg game with one or two hands in his pockets. During his remarks, he repeatedly shook his head or responded to reporters' questions with a shrug. He now wants to “put positive pressure” against Lazio. You can hardly imagine that.

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By Andreas Kloo