Coaching candidates for Bayern Munich
Jupp Heynckes has said he will end his fourth stint as Bayern Munich's coach at the end of the season. This has led to speculation about a possible successor. Here are some of the names in the rumor mill.
Thomas Tuchel
Currently on sabbatical after parting ways with Borussia Dortmund, Thomas Tuchel is rumored to be the favorite to become Bayern's coach after the season. German magazine SportBild reported in October that the German coach was a candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti. Upon Jupp Heynckes' appointment, club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said that Bayern "did not decide against Tuchel."
Julian Nagelsmann
Born an hour's drive west of Munich, Julian Nagelsmann has said he grew up a fan of Bayern. He has also been spotted a few times sitting with club president Uli Hoeness at Bayern matches. However, Heynckes was quoted by the Rhein Neckar Zeitung in October as saying: "It may be good for Julian Nagelsmann to stay at Hoffenheim a few more years and gain international experience."
Niko Kovac
The former Bayern midfielder has been relatively successful since saving Eintracht Frankfurt from the drop in 2016. With his contract with set to expire in June 2019, some German media have speculated that Kovac (right) would the be perfect coach for Bayern. But Frankfurt sporting director Fredi Bobic dismissed the rumors in an interview Kicker magazine published on Monday.
Jürgen Klopp
After Klopp parted ways with Dortmund in 2015, many speculated that he would wind up at Bayern. He went to Liverpool,instead and told German Sky television that he had never had any contact with Bayern. After leading Liverpool back into the Champions League, Klopp doesn't appear to be an immediate option, although some television pundits have said he would be a perfect fit at Bayern.
Joachim Löw
In November, German daily Bild reported that Löw (center) was one of the candidates Bayern were looking at. He guided Germany to their 2014 World Cup title and has coached several of Bayern's players in the national team. Following Heynckes' return, though,Löw told public broadcaster ZDF the Bayern job "was not worth considering" with Germany hoping to defend their title next summer.
Paulo Fonseca
Last week, Sport Bild reported that Bayern had been offered the services of the Portuguese coach, who dressed up as the fictional character "Zorro" after Shaktar Donetzk beat Manchester City 2-1 in the Champions League. His contract with the Ukrainian club expires after the season. However, Fonseca doesn't speak German, a critical criteria for Bayern after their experience with Carlo Ancelotti.