<a href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/07mhYdwolkGaf8dxvtT4pEScUrQ=/0x0:5499x3666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73324634/2150451044.0.jpg">FC Bayern München v Real Madrid: Semi-final First Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24</a> Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images Bayern Munich is in the midst of a torrid stretch. According to a report from Sport Bild journalists Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl (as captured by <a href="https://x.com/imiasanmia/status/1786147781276520598?s=46&t=gLe-_YzJmVJHfEjMd8Qkbg">@iMiaSanMia</a>), <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com">FC Barcelona</a> will be a serious contender for <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a> star Joshua Kimmich this summer:Barcelona want Joshua Kimmich this summer, especially after Xavi’s decision to stay at the club. The Spaniard is a big fan of Kimmich. In Barcelona, there’s optimism they would be financially able to make a move. If the player wants to leave, then he would be a serious option for Barça.More than ever, it feels like these rumors surrounding Kimmich might have some credence. While he has been excellent of late, Kimmich was not as his best earlier this season, become a point of ire for head coach Thomas Tuchel, and even had to address some things publicly after the manager used the media as a sounding board. For Kimmich, all of that, plus the uncertainty of who the next manager will be might not be all that appealing. There is, however, the possibility that Kimmich could just be using all of this as leverage to get himself one last giant deal. What do you think?Bavarian Podcast Works: Weekend Warm-up Show Season 3, Episode 43Yeah, so there is a little bit to talk about with <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a> this week. I don’t even know we would waste any time with an intro when there is a three-ring circus going on with Bayern Munich’s coaching search, so let’s get right down to business. Here is what we have on tap on for the latest edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show: Ralf Rangnick has formally rejected a move to Bayern Munich in favor of keeping his life simple. You can’t fault him for that, but now what?After the rejections from Rangnick, Xabi Alonso, and Julian Nagelsmann have all said “No” to Bayern Munich, is Hansi Flick the “break glass in case of emergency option.”Sebastian Hoeneß has already stiff-armed speculation that he would be a fit, but could it happen?Jonathan Tah to Bayern...eh, I don’t know about this one. What to watch for in the next round of Bayern Munich vs. <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com">Real Madrid</a> in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a>. Oh Schmidt! Another coaching option emerges!Falk and Altschäffl were not just reporting on Kimmich’s future though. The German journo duo also had some news on Bayern Munich’s latest coaching target as well — Benfica’s Roger Schmidt. Here are the details as captured by <a href="https://x.com/iMiaSanMia/status/1786301314323869909">@iMiaSanMia</a>: From ‘well informed agent circles’, it is said that Bayern now want to go full force on Benfica head coach Roger Schmidt. The former Leverkusen and Salzburg coach is under contract until 2026 and has a €30m release clause, but Benfica are not entirely happy with him, therefore it wouldn’t be complicated to get him. Schmidt has already been discussed at Bayern before but was never really one of the top candidates, but now he’s high on the list.I mean...Schmidt is not making me tingle in anyway, so there is that. Bayern Munich is running out of options, though. At some point, the club has to land one of these guys. Who would I take on? Well...let’s #FlickAroundAndFindOut.Song of the Week: “99 Luftballons” by NenaYou might be thinking, why this song? Why now? Shouldn’t we be using some music to make you want to charge into battle?Well, as you probably know, this song has become part of BFW lore given the missing video of…

<a href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/t1n8betbbxERLkOb2Oal1EIDdYQ=/0x0:3029x2019/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73332939/1256500566.0.jpg">FC Bayern München v RB Leipzig - Bundesliga</a> Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images Are these names exciting for you? <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a> continues to gauge the market and analyze coaching candidates, but there has been no concrete movement just yet and the club does not appear to be any closer to getting its man — at least is pertains to the public eye. Let’s take a look at the latest news...<strong>Hansi Flick: Getting Warmer (UPDATE —1:35PM EDT: It’s getting hot in here)</strong>According to Sport Bild journalists Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl (as captured by <a href="https://x.com/iMiaSanMia/status/1787838758873653583">@iMiaSanMia</a>), the resistance that might have once been there toward Flick seems to be dissipating: Rummenigge and Dreesen are Flick supporters. Herbert Hainer was neutral towards Flick in both the good and the complicated phases, but always recognized his achievements at the club. Flick has also had a discussion with Uli Hoeneß to clear up their disagreements. Per an update from Falk and Altschäffl: Hansi Flick is now a ‘hot candidate’. <strong>Summary (still): </strong>#FlickAroundAndFindOut.<strong>Pep Guardiola: Not Hot</strong>Per Sky Sport journos Florian Plettenberg and Kerry Hau (as captured by <a href="https://x.com/iMiaSanMia/status/1787517386163118423">@iMiaSanMia</a>), the pipe dream of a return to Germany for Guardiola is over: Pep Guardiola’s management ends speculation over a potential move to Bayern: “Pep has FC Bayern in his heart, but he doesn’t want to leave <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a> this summer. He’s very happy and has a contract until 2025. Returning to FC Bayern is not an option.”<strong>Summary: </strong>As expected, Guardiola is not planning on leaving his incredibly beneficial set-up any time soon. At best, Bayern Munich might have a chance to just talk to Guardiola in 2025, but that does not help them right now.<strong>Erik ten Hag: Sweltering (UPDATE —1:35PM EDT: Unexpected blizzard?)</strong>According to Fabrizio Romano (as captured by <a href="https://x.com/iMiaSanMia/status/1787560244576411892">@iMiaSanMia</a>), Bayern Munich is a big fan of Ten Hag: Erik ten Hag has always been appreciated and highly rated by Bayern bosses even before he joined <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com">Manchester United</a> when he was at Ajax. Ten Hag is currently fully focused on United and doesn’t want to decide anything before the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> final. As of today, this is the situation. A decision on his future will be made closer to the end of the season.Per Sport Bild’s Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl (as captured by <a href="https://x.com/iMiaSanMia/status/1787838758873653583">@iMiaSanMia</a>), Ten Hag might really be a top candidate: A return to Munich would certainly be appealing for the Dutchman if he were to leave Manchester United this summer. Eberl has already had contact with ten Hag’s representatives.<strong>Summary: </strong>It just seems like Bayern and Ten Hag are on a collision course.Per updated news from Falk and Altschäffl (as captured by <a href="https://x.com/iMiaSanMia/status/1787896518369751428">@iMiaSanMia</a>), Ten Hag is out of the running (at least for now): Erik ten Hag will not be Bayern’s new coach. The club will no longer pursue a move for the Dutchman. <strong>Updated Summary: </strong>Well, that de-escalated quickly.<strong>Roberto De Zerbi: Somehow still warm</strong>According to Per Sport Bild’s Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl (as captured by <a href="https://x.com/iMiaSanMia/status/1787838758873653583">@iMiaSanMia</a>), Max Eberl has not given up on luring Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi to Bavaria: Eberl has not completely given up hope on the Italian. He believes that De…

Germany v Japan - International Friendly Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images Back to the grill again... Who needs a coach anyway?On the first unofficial day of Bayern Munich being coach-less (Tuchel’s contract runs until the end of June), let’s dig into the latest rumors on the street...err, on the internet. #FlickAroundAndfindOut is back? Maybe? According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), Bayern Munich is still waffling on what to do with its coaching position — but Hansi Flick could be back in play as a candidate:Bayern will now have new internal talks to discuss who can be the best candidate to replace Tuchel, whether to go for a young coach or - the most credible option - to go for an experienced coach. There are still people at the club who appreciate Hansi Flick a lot as a potential solution.At this stage, who needs this reunion more, Bayern Munich or Flick?Flick has also been loosely linked to FC Barcelona for what it is worth. Bayern, Ajax competing for Ten Hag?According to the Daily Mail, Bayern Munich and AFC Ajax are engaged in a battle for Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag: Erik ten Hag is reportedly being pursued by Bayern Munich and Ajax, with his future at Old Trafford yet to be confirmed.Manchester United conclude their worst ever Premier League season with a trip to Brighton on Sunday, though could salvage a trophy if they pull off an upset against Man City in the FA Cup final next week. Bayern Munich are on the hunt for a new manager after Thomas Tuchel confirmed he would leave the club.Zidane still on the outside looking inAccording to a report from Sport Bild journalists Tobi Altschäffl and David Verhoff, Zinedine Zidane is still not a serious candidate for Bayern Munich: Zinédine Zidane is still not an option for Bayern. The club is still unwilling to appoint the Frenchman even after all recent rejections. No talks have taken place.Sky Sport reporter Florian Plettenberg backed up that report as well: ⤵️ Nothing has changed about that: #Zidane is not a topic at Bayern! @SkySportDE https://t.co/VF1S8teidm— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 19, 2024Sport Bild’s Christian Falk also had his own report: FC Bayern still searching for a successor of Thomas Tuchel
❌ Zinedine Zidane is not currently one of the candidates Bayern are talking to— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) May 19, 2024The language barrier for Zidane (he does not speak English or German) seems to be a major hold up. Either way, the hunt continues...Looking for more thoughts and analysis on Bayern Munich’s terrible collapse against Hoffenheim in the season’s final match? What about some commentary on Thomas Tuchel’s bizarre starting XI, how the game played out, and why there is a heck of a lot of uncertainty ahead for Bayern Munich? Well, we have you covered with our Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show, which is available on Spotify or below:

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