Tuchel 'SHOCKED by condition of the Bayern players he inherited from Nagelsmann'

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel was deeply concerned about the state of the team when he replaced Julian Nagelsmann in March, according to reports.

Tuchel returned to management for the final weeks of last season after leaving Chelsea six months earlier and managed to guide Bayern to another Bundesliga title on the final day.

But his side also suffered exits from the Champions League and German Cup early on in his tenure, and Tuchel was not happy when he first joined the club after seeing the condition of his players, as reported by Kicker via Bild.

The 50-year-old was alarmed by the physical and psychological condition of the team that he inherited from Nagelsmann, while the lack of harmony at Bayern was also a shock to him.

He was worried about the atmosphere created by CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic, and behind the scenes issues were highlighted when Sadio Mane punched team-mate Leroy Sane in the dressing room following Bayern's 3-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Bayern managed to stumble over the line in the title race after Borussia Dortmund's final day collapse, but were hardly convincing in Tuchel's first weeks in charge, and he immediately identified two positions that he wanted to strengthen in the summer.

Tuchel felt that bringing in a top-class striker had to be a priority, and he got his wish as Bayern landed Harry Kane from Tottenham.

Kane has proved to be a major hit in his first four months in Germany, scoring 25 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions.

But Tuchel also wanted to sign a defensive midfielder in the summer due to doubts about Joshua Kimmich's suitability for the position.

On this occasion, Tuchel didn't get what he wanted as Bayern missed out on Declan Rice to Arsenal.

He made his frustrations clear by complaining about Bayern's 'slow' progress in the transfer market, which infuriated the board who were angered by his 'erratic' behaviour.

Tuchel could finally get the No6 he badly wants this month after the January transfer window opened yesterday, but he remains under pressure.

Bayern eased through their Champions League group, but crashed out of the German Cup in the second round and they are four points behind Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga table, albeit with a game in hand.

Tuchel snapped at a reporter last month after being questioned about his future, with Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness being linked to potentially replacing him.

He now has some time to focus on further improving the physical and mental state of his players due to the Bundesliga currently being on hold for the winter break.

Bayern return to Bundesliga action on January 12 when they host Hoffenheim.