Editor ice-cold:

Bayern are a “listless loser troop”

FC Bayern is deep in crisis.

(Bild: APA/AFP/ALEXANDRA BEIER)

The 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund was followed by an embarrassing 3-2 loss to Heidenheim on Saturday. German record champions Bayern Munich are deep in crisis, Walter M. Straten did not mince his words in the German newspaper "Bild". He wrote of a "listless, deadbeat team".

According to the German journalist, there are no reasons to hold on to coach Thomas Tuchel until the Champions League clash against Arsenal on Tuesday, but the 50-year-old cannot be let go either. "There is no alternative. The days when Uli Hoeneß called Jupp Heynckes and he jumped on the next plane are over. The chance of a timely change of coach has long since passed," Straten makes clear.

Tuchel's idea of motivating his players with anger in their stomachs backfired, because "a full stomach doesn't like anger. The players made a fool of a two-goal lead at a promoted team. For the first time in Bayern's Bundesliga history. Included in the listless, deadbeat squad was a certain Davies, who is demanding a salary of 20 million euros for his new contract. Citizen's money would be more appropriate."

Team no longer listens to Tuchel
Bild's head of sport doubts that Tuchel will somehow manage to get the team in the right mood for the game against the Gunners. "They (the players, editor's note) don't seem to listen to him anyway. No matter whether he raves or praises. Either the team shakes itself up and Thomas Müller gets his colleagues fired up. Or London is the end of the line for the last chance at the title." 

Trailing league leaders Bayer Leverkusen by 16 points, Bayern's chances of winning the Bundesliga title are probably over; Xabi Alonso's team need just one win in six games to dethrone Munich. Bayern have also long since been eliminated from the cup - all that remains is the Champions League. However, with a performance like the last one against the English league leaders, it will hardly be enough for promotion ...