Tuchel, Nagelsmann, Klopp contenders to replace Ancelotti at Bayern

Published on: 29 September 2017

The ESPN FC crew discuss what went wrong for Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern Munich.

Carlo Ancelotti's exit only six matches into the new Bundesliga season leaves Bayern Munich with a big task to solve going into the international break.

Willy Sagnol has been appointed interim manager, but is expected to be replaced before the home match against SC Freiburg in mid-October.

Here are five possible candidates to succeed the Italian ...

Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel might have clashed with the Borussia Dortmund hierarchy and lost parts of the dressing room at the Westfalenstadion but the 44-year-old has also shown he can not only implement his philosophy on a team, but also work in a hostile environment.

The 2017 DFB-Pokal winner, who still resides in Dortmund, has often praised Pep Guardiola, and the Catalan called him "one of the best coaches worldwide," ahead of their final meeting in Germany, the 2016 German Cup final.

Bayern, a club in turmoil fighting for its identity, would still be taking a big gamble despite Tuchel's good tactical skills, with one of the club's key players, Mats Hummels, reportedly not too unhappy to part ways with him when leaving Dortmund in 2016.

Julian Nagelsmann

The long-term plan has always been there. Nagelsmann, 30, would one day leave Hoffenheim and take over Bayern. A candidate at Dortmund to replace Tuchel last summer, his future could again cross with the former BVB coach as both compete for the same job.

But Nagelsmann is under contract at Hoffenheim until 2021, and while it might not be a problem to leave the club during the summer, the chances they would allow him a move during the season are nominal.

Should Bayern opt for an interim solution until next summer, those chances should increase significantly. For now, Hoffenheim's sporting director Alexander Rosen is tired of the ongoing rumours.

Jupp Heynckes

Could the Treble-winning coach come out of retirement to help out once again like he did in 2009, and thus open the door for a move for Nagelsmann in the summer?

The 72-year-old was forced out of his position ahead of winning it all in 2013, and has since shied away from the spotlight. It's questionable Heynckes, or Ottmar Hitzfeld -- retired since leaving Switzerland in 2014 -- could even be remotely interested in returning to the dugout.

Thomas Tuchel clashed with Bayern in the Bundesliga during his spell as Borussia Dortmund coach.

Jurgen Klopp

The Liverpool boss not only won a domestic double and back-to-back Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund earlier this decade, but also took them from national mediocrity to the 2013 Champions League final.

His hard-running idea of Gegenpressing has inspired many other Bundesliga clubs, and remains in BVB's DNA. At Anfield, he has suffered criticism from parts of the media and the fans, largely for not reinforcing the team's defence, and he has been courted by Bayern Munich in the past.

Yet, given his track record as coach -- two seven-year stints with Mainz and Dortmund -- it's inconceivable he'd walk out on Liverpool like that.

Mehmet Scholl / Hermann Gerland

Scholl, a former Bayern Munich midfielder, would appease those at the club looking for a return to its roots, an idea promoted by president Uli Hoeness. Yet, the 46-year-old's managerial experience is limited to a largely unsuccessful stint with the Bayern reserves earlier this decade. Concerns have been raised about his old school methods. Gerland has been at the heart of every Bayern bench in recent years and could return from his post at club academy to assist Scholl.

Stephan Uersfeld is the Germany correspondent for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @uersfeld.

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Source: espn.co.uk

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