Thomas Tuchel, a coach-diva!? And what we may learn from it.
It was only in my second-to-last post that, on the day after the match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, I found my way in via FC Bayern Munich's head coach, in order to draw a line between the role of a head coach and that of a systemic coach. Today, in light of the latest developments, he comes back into focus. Mr. Tuchel's appearance last Friday, and the picture he paints of himself in public, unfortunately speaks a clear language. Despite lacking knowledge of internal processes and events, we may assume that comments made in front of running cameras are well considered. And the picture that emerges in light of that is worrying!
After the decision was published, in the period between my post following the Leverkusen match and today, that FC Bayern Munich and Thomas Tuchel will go their separate ways after this season, the players were publicly called upon, in a media-effective way, to show strength of character, and it was even said that the remaining season would show who stood behind the club and with whom one would want to shape the club's future.
I basically agree with the assessment that this is now a time in which every single player can prove their strength of character, because now the players are called upon to play for themselves, for the team and for the club, entirely independent of their relationship with the head coach and his decisions.
This situation, however, is in particular also a litmus test for the character of the departing head coach.
I have already written about the particular history and the not exactly ideal start Thomas Tuchel had at Bayern Munich, especially with regard to “resilient relationships” with the players, in order to then also form a team in which WE comes before I. Please feel free to read that in my 28th post.
Here and now, however, I'd like to take a look at the most recent events and address the head coach's remarks at the press conference after the Freiburg match, which, according to dpa, were made as follows:
Freiburg (dpa) – Coach Thomas Tuchel sharply criticised his team's performance, at least in parts, following FC Bayern Munich's 2:2 (1:1) draw at SC Freiburg. He had no explanation for the weak first half hour, the 50-year-old said after the match on Friday evening. "We played in the same basic formation, demanded the same things," he explained. "But the difference in body language and tenacity between the first and second half was glaring."
"The difference in the quality of our play, in positional discipline, in the error rate" had also been serious, said Tuchel. Bayern Munich could count themselves lucky that they were only trailing 0:1 after 30 minutes.
The second half was then good, Tuchel said. There was "a completely different life in it," and everyone also acted "noticeably more disciplined in their position." His team had, for a time, "deservedly turned the match around." With the 2:2 draw, they had, on the one hand, been denied their deserved reward. "On the other hand, we were also missing so much in the first half that we perhaps can't expect it," said Tuchel.
You can also find the report in sound and video under the following link:
Some media representatives repeatedly mention Tuchel's candour, as he has also already admitted several times that he has no explanation for performances and developments. However, if you look at the wording from the press conference mentioned above, and other statements, against the background of “resilient relationships” and team building, they appear in a different light.
If I want WE to come before I, and for one player to go through fire for another, then it is neither wise nor even emotionally intelligent, as head coach, to take up a position outside the team.
Personally, I am also put off by the disrespectful manner he displayed, for instance, at the start of the press conference mentioned above. While the press spokesman, Dieter Nickles, opens the round of questions in front of the assembled media representatives, the coach doesn't spare a glance for either his club colleague or the media representatives. Perhaps a prior greeting is simply missing from the recording, and I would be doing him an injustice – but even if that were the case, and I find that hard to imagine, it would only be one nuance less among all the indications of Tuchel's emotional misconduct.
Unfortunately, the overall public image now leaves nothing good to be said about the current head coach of FC Bayern Munich, especially against the backdrop of the confirmed departure in the summer. As already hinted at the outset, this is also a special situation for him, and he too can prove what he's made of. Now it's about showing his character, standing in front of the team, and – perhaps precisely because the departure is already settled – not pointing the finger at others! The players should be able to feel that they are being met at eye level, by being taken seriously, included in decisions, and by tackling the remaining challenges together. It would suit the coach well to also show himself more self-critical in public and to name his own mistakes specifically. That would be a courageous act, and even more honest and mature than the openness mentioned above, which merely expresses bewilderment about the team's performance. That would at least offer a minimal chance of reopening the stalled dialogue with one or another player.
At present, all the signs point the other way. The impression that arises is of a coach-diva who, feeling offended, points the finger at others. Not exactly a sign of greatness!
To draw something good from the situation, it can serve us coaches as a cautionary example.
WITH CLARITY, FOCUS AND COMPOSURE TOWARDS OPTIMAL DEVELOPMENT
Until then! Stay healthy, and always a good ball to you!
