Bayern coach search: Erik ten Hag has outsider chances

The coaching question at Bayern seems to be heading towards an exciting showdown between Roberto de Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann. However, former coach Erik ten Hag is apparently also in with a chance. There is at least one argument in his favour.

Some illustrious names have been mooted as Thomas Tuchel’s successor at FC Bayern: José Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri, Zinedine Zidane. It is not known whether all of these coaches are or were on the list of sporting director Max Eberl. Everything looks like the search for a coach at FCB is turning into a duel. As reported by Sky, the decision will probably be made between Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and national coach Julian Nagelsmann following the cancellation of Xabi Alonso.

According to kicker, an ex-Bayern coach still has at least an outside chance. Erik ten Hag has been highly rated by the record champions since his time as coach of the second team between 2013 and 2015. At Ajax Amsterdam, he made a name for himself across Europe with his inspiring football when he led the team to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2018/2019.

Ten Hag criticised at Man United

However, this reputation has since suffered. He has been repeatedly criticised at Manchester United and his coaching chair seems to have been shaky for months. The Red Devils are likely to miss out on Champions League qualification again this season, and there are also regular conflicts with stars. It is therefore entirely possible that Ten Hag and the club will soon part ways and that the 54-year-old will be available in the summer.

He has been in charge at Man United since July 2022. He has not been able to make a convincing case for himself in the two changeable seasons. In the Champions League group stage, he lost both duels against Bayern 3:4 and 0:1, so the only thing that probably speaks in Ten Hag’s favour at the moment is the fact that he knows FC Bayern.