He is “not entirely convinced” of the current ÖFB team boss, who is currently being courted by the German soccer record champions. “Because this story has been going on for too long. Rangnick wants a lot of power and he wants everything clarified down to the last detail. I somehow have a strange feeling,” said the 80-year-old on Sport1 on Tuesday.
When asked about the preferred candidate to succeed Thomas Tuchel, Maier replied: “It’s not Rangnick. I would actually try to keep Tuchel. As crazy as that may sound.” Tuchel will terminate his contract in Munich early at the end of the season, as the coach and the club had already agreed weeks ago. After rejections from Xabi Alonso (Leverkusen) and Julian Nagelsmann (national coach), Rangnick is Bayern’s top candidate. He is currently thinking about Bayern’s offer.
In the dispute between Tuchel and honorary president Uli Hoeneß, Maier took the coach’s side. “In this case, Uli was wrong,” said Maier. “Tuchel has often proven that he can develop talent into seasoned players. So Uli’s accusation is a bit flawed.” Tuchel is a “great and successful coach” who has the chance to win the Champions League. And if that happens, Maier added, “then Tuchel will turn his nose up at every critic.”
