WHAT HAPPENED?
The Bundesliga giants announced last month that Tuchel would be stepping down from his role as head coach at the end of the season, opening the door to a whole host of managerial candidates. Zidane, meanwhile, has been out of work since his second stint as Real boss came to an end in 2021. The Frenchman, who won three successive Champions League trophies in his first spell in Madrid, has been touted to replace Tuchel by former Bayern star Mario Basler.
WHAT BASLER SAID
The 55-year-old told German outlet Ran: "There aren't too many alternatives on the coaching market. I also believe that Xabi Alonso will stay at Leverkusen or go to another club - perhaps Madrid or Liverpool. Maybe he'll stay at Leverkusen for another year and then go to Madrid when Carlo Ancelotti retires. The only person I could easily imagine would be Zinedine Zidane."
However, Basler feels that Bayern shouldn't have been so hasty with letting Tuchel go, drawing parallels with the handling of Julian Nagelsmann last year. He added: "I don't understand Bayern's personnel decision. Bayern have once again made quick decisions, just like they did with Julian Nagelsmann back in the day. That was also very incomprehensible to me. If that scenario [Bayern winning the Champions League] materialises, I would be curious to see whether Bayern Munich would have the character to say: 'We made a decision too early. We want to reverse the decision'. Maybe they'll sit down with Tuchel again and see if they might not continue for another year or two."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
As Basler references, Bayern are in with a shot at Champions League glory - a competition Tuchel has already won once with Chelsea - after overcoming Lazio in the last-16. However, Leverkusen's escapades under Alonso mean they are ten points behind in the Bundesliga, as those performances have seen the Spanish coach linked with a move away in the summer. Bayern are among those potential suitors, as they look set to rival Liverpool this summer or Real Madrid the next.
DID YOU KNOW?
Other names linked with the Bayern job, apart from Zidane and Alonso, include Jose Mourinho and former Die Roten boss Hansi Flick. Ex-Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was incredibly mooted earlier this season, before Tuchel's fate was revealed.
WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?
Tuchel followed up that Champions League win on Tuesday with a statement 8-1 thrashing of Mainz on Saturday. Bayern will hope to build on that victory and continue the chase on Leverkusen when they face bottom-placed Darmstadt on Saturday.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
