THOMAS TUCHEL has backed Harry Kane to help save Bayern Munich’s season.
Because if the England captain thought things had become a bit bumpy here in Bavaria over the last few weeks, this would be nothing compared to the furious fall-out if Bayern get booted out of the Champions League by Lazio tomorrow.
GettyThomas Tuchel has backed Harry Kane to help get Bayern Munich’s season back on track[/caption]
Kane left Spurs to win trophies and despite plundering 27 Bundesliga goals, the team trail Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side by 10 points.
Under-fire Bayern boss Tuchel is now leaving at the end of the season but if the team fails to turn around a 1-0 first leg deficit against Lazio, the former Chelsea manager could be sacked before the home game with Mainz on Saturday.
So all eyes will be on Kane to add to his 31 goals in all competitions against Maurizio Sarri’s side and to send Bayern into the quarter-finals.
Understandably, the ex-Tottenham striker has been left frustrated by the club’s feeble title bid despite his prolific form.
Asked if he has been forced to boost Kane’s spirits, Tuchel said: “I do not feel it is necessary to lift him but of course, like every player, like every human being, he likes to have attention and to have commitment from the coach.
“He gets 100 per cent from me and there is not one per cent of doubt in me in what he does here and how he behaves.
“Harry has an impact on every team that he plays for, because of the way he plays. He is not very outspoken, so he is not loud in the dressing room.
“The way he does things calmly, focused, and full of confidence always has a positive effect on our team, so it is basically a pleasure to have him.
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“It is a gift to be his coach, so we are absolutely not worried about him and I am sure he will perform against Lazio and that is what he does under pressure. We can 100 per cent rely on him.”
Bayern were really poor in the defeat in Rome three weeks ago and a 3-2 loss to Bochum four days later was the final straw for the club’s hierarchy.
It was then announced that Tuchel – originally due to stay until 2025 – would leave this summer.
The problem Bayern have is that if they do sack Tuchel this week, there is no obvious candidate to hire short-term and they remain focused on trying to lure Liverpool target Alonso to the Allianz Arena.
Yet if Bayern, who won their sixth Champions League title in 2020, progress to the quarter-finals, things will settle down here – for the time being.
Tuchel said: “For me it is a very important game. I am a very bad loser and I do not like having the influence that I demand.
“Talking about titles doesn’t win you titles. We need to train well and play well.”
With Kane up front, Bayern should still have enough to overcome Lazio who are ninth in Serie A after having three players sent off in a 1-0 home loss to Milan on Friday.