Bayern chief gives foul-mouthed response to manager search with Arsenal comment

Bayern Munich's sporting director Max Eberl has admitted his full focus is on Tuesday's huge Champions League clash against Arsenal - NOT the search for a new manager.

Current Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel has already confirmed he will not be staying on as manager beyond the end of this season. The 2021 Champions League winner joined the German giants in March 2023 and was contracted to the club until the summer of 2025, but will now leave a full 12 months earlier than expected.

It has been a disastrous league season for Bayern, who sit a whopping 16 points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen. The table-toppers are just one win away from sealing their fate as Bundesliga champions.

Pressed for comment on how the hunt for Tuchel's successor is going, Eberl issued a foul-mouthed response as he claimed: "I don't give a s*** about the search for a coach. Now it's all about the Arsenal game".

"We'll face a team that – with all respect to Heidenheim – is a class above them. We have to make a proper turnaround so that we don't get a slap to the face".

Bayern's last league outing before their quarter-final showdown with the Gunners saw them fall to a 3-2 defeat by Heidenheim, despite going 2-0 up. The result only sparked further concern from disgruntled fans who are seeking clairty regarding who will take charge next term.

Speaking in the wake of his departure being announced, Tuchel explained: "We have agreed that we will end our working relationship at the end of this season. Until then, I will of course continue to do everything I can with my coaching staff to achieve maximum success."

Tuchel had already conceded defeat in the race for the Bundesliga title before Saturday's dismal league performance. "Yes, of course," he said when asked if the title race was over.

"This is clear. Naturally, I have no hope anymore. No no no. After today’s game, I do not need to tell you anything more. How many points behind are we? 13?” Congratulations to Leverkusen."

However, that suggests all of Bayern's eggs are now firmly in the Champions League basket. Tuchel certainly suggested as much, adding: "That is not the first time that it happens to us and it's not the first time we could bounce back with a crazy good performance.

"That is basically the hope. It's a bit strange but that is actually it. If we are honest, we could not have to guarantee that if we perform today at highest level that we do this again at Heidenheim."