Bayern Munich 'make decision over sacking Thomas Tuchel ahead of Arsenal showdown'

Bayern Munich are reportedly prepared to keep Thomas Tuchel in the managerial hotseat ahead of their Champions League clash with Arsenal on Tuesday night.

The former Chelsea head coach announced earlier in 2024 that he would be departing at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, allowing the German champions to move in a different direction.

Tuchel lifted the Champions League for the Stamford Bridge club in 2021 and could still do the same for Bayern, however his side's league form has been below expectations.

Since returning from the international break, the Bavarian giants have lost back-to-back matches in the Bundesliga to arch rivals Borussia Dortmund and newly-promoted FC Heidenheim.

Tuchel's men are currently occupying second spot in the top-flight standings, sitting a sizeable 16 points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who could clinch their first-ever Bundesliga title next week.

© Reuters

Bayern Munich have no plans for Tuchel sacking ahead of Arsenal

Speaking after the shock defeat at Heidenheim on Saturday, Bayern sporting director Max Eberl claimed that they are not considering sacking their head coach in the immediate future.

"No, I didn't have that thought. It's not always just a coaching problem," said Bavarian chief Eberl following his club's embarrassing loss to Heidenheim.

Bayern are already looking towards the future in terms of managers for next season, however the Bundesliga holders were dealt a huge blow in their search last month.

Following an outstanding campaign so far, Bayern-linked Xabi Alonso announced that he would be staying at Leverkusen for the 2024-25 campaign.

© Reuters

Arsenal's chance for revenge

With Bayern enduring their worst season for over a decade under the stewardship of a manager who will be gone in the summer, Arsenal will be viewing their quarter-final meeting with the Germans as a massive opportunity to reach the last four.

Mikel Arteta's side are currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table, one point ahead of second-placed Liverpool who have played a game fewer.

The Gunners' recent form has been formidable, collecting six wins from their last seven matches across all competitions, only being held by Pep Guardiola's Manchester City on March 31.

Potentially entering into this final-eight clash as favourites, Arsenal will be looking for revenge over Bayern, who knocked the North Londoners out at this stage in the 2016-17 campaign by an aggregate scoreline of 10-2.