Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthäus has delivered a scathing assessment of the club’s recent season, placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of departed coach Thomas Tuchel while expressing surprise at the choice of Vincent Kompany as his successor.
In a frank interview, Matthäus did not hold back in his criticism of Tuchel’s tenure. “The coach is primarily responsible for the disaster of this season,” Matthäus stated, referring to a trophy-less campaign that saw Bayern finish a distant second in the Bundesliga and exit the Champions League at the semi-final stage. He emphasized that the team’s dramatic collapse in form, which included crucial defeats in the league and Europe, originated from the manager’s office.
Matthäus revealed that the atmosphere within the squad deteriorated significantly under Tuchel. “The relationship between Tuchel and the players was not good,” he said, pointing to a clear disconnect that affected performances on the pitch. He argued that while individual players might have underperformed, the overall strategic and motivational failure lay with the coach.
The German icon also addressed the surprising appointment of Vincent Kompany, who arrives after suffering relegation with Burnley. “The Kompany deal is a big surprise for me, and certainly for all of Bayern’s fans,” Matthäus admitted. He questioned the logic behind hiring a coach whose recent project ended in failure, despite acknowledging Kompany’s reputation and philosophy.
Looking ahead, Matthäus set a clear benchmark for the new era. For Kompany’s time at Bayern to be considered a success, Matthäus believes he must immediately challenge for the highest honors. “He has to play for the championship and go far in the Champions League,” Matthäus asserted, underlining the relentless expectations at the Allianz Arena. The legendary figure’s comments frame a period of intense scrutiny for Kompany, who must now unite a fractured squad and restore Bayern’s dominance.
