Dusseldorf, Germany: Comments from two key Bayern Munich players hinted at unease in the squad even before new coach Thomas Tuchel takes his first training session.
Midfielders Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka voiced concerns Saturday following the sudden firing of Julian Nagelsmann and his replacement with Tuchel, a Champions League winner with Chelsea.
“Of course it’s strange,” said Kimmich of the coaching change after captaining Germany to a 2-0 friendly win over Peru, in comments reported by German agency dpa.
“At the end of the day that’s how the business is, not much love, not much heart. We have to learn to cope with and live with the decision.”
Kimmich later denied he was criticizing Bayern management and said he was describing soccer in general terms, dpa reported. Kimmich had praised Nagelsmann as an “outstanding” coach Friday, hours before his departure was confirmed. His verdict on Tuchel: “I don’t really know him yet.”
Goretzka said he trusted the management to do the best for Bayern but that he had been “extremely close” to Nagelsmann and “when someone like that is suddenly no longer there, out of nowhere, I believe it comes as a shock for everyone,” dpa reported.
