MY ACCOUNT
Thomas Tuchel will not have had enough time with his Bayern Munich players to have a significant impact on Saturday’s Klassiker, according to Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl.
Former BVB boss Tuchel has been appointed Bayern coach, replacing Julian Nagelsmann ahead of a huge game against their title rivals.
Ten-in-a-row champions Bayern are a point behind Bundesliga leaders Dortmund heading into their meeting, hoping Tuchel can inspire an upturn in form after a run of only five victories in 10 matches let their opponents back into the title race.
But Tuchel was appointed in the middle of the international break, meaning Kehl cannot see how he would have a big say in proceedings right away.
“I don’t know if FC Bayern will be better on Saturday with Thomas Tuchel than before under Julian Nagelsmann,” Kehl told reporters.
“I don’t think that this coaching staff will necessarily affect this game, because many international players are still away until the middle of the week and a great number of training sessions cannot take place.
“They will not have that many opportunities to work on tactical things.”
Tuchel left Dortmund in 2017 after clashing with the club’s hierarchy, but Kehl again does not foresee those events playing a part.
“It doesn’t matter at all,” he said. “I think the issues from back then have long since been forgotten and cleared up.”
Kehl added: “I don’t think it’s a game against Thomas Tuchel at the weekend; in the end, it’s between the first-placed team and the second-placed team.
“All parties are so professional. It’s part of the process that coaches change and sometimes come to play against old clubs.”
Either way, Kehl does not see Saturday’s result deciding the title race, even if Dortmund have a huge opportunity to move four points clear.
“We can make a big step up the table because we’re playing against a direct competitor,” he said. “First plays second, a game everyone can look forward to.
“It’s nice that we were able to make it such an exciting game. But the title will not be decided at the weekend.”
