Joao Cancelo revealed Thomas Tuchel will become the new Bayern Munich manager and joked that he hopes he can help him win the Champions League - having wrecked his hopes with Manchester City.
Bayern are set to announce former Chelsea boss Tuchel as Julian Nagelsmann's successor on Friday after the team's 2-1 loss at Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. The result leaves Bayern second in the Bundesliga - one point behind leaders Borussia Dortmund - and despite their 100 percent record in Europe, the decision has been made to part ways with Nagelsmann.
Cancelo, who joined Bayern on loan from City in January, was asked about Tuchel's imminent appointment after Portugal's 4-0 win against Liechtenstein. He responded with a witty quip about Tuchel's victory against City in the 2021 Champions League final.
"I've only found out now," said Cancelo. "I know I won't find Nagelsmann when I return to Munich. He wanted me at Bayern, I'd like to thank him.
"As for Tuchel, he made me lose a Champions League final, so I hope he will win it for me this year!"
Cancelo was referring to Chelsea's 1-0 victory against City in the 2021 final, when Kai Havertz's goal proved to be the winner. The Portuguese defender, who was a key member of City's squad until January, was an unused substitute in the narrow defeat.
What is interesting about Cancelo's comment is Bayern will face City in the quarter-finals of this season's competition. City boss Pep Guardiola has a poor record against Tuchel, who will be relishing the chance of potentially winning another European Cup.
What do you make of Bayern Munich's decision to replace Julian Nagelsmann with Thomas Tuchel? Let us know in the comments below!
News of Nagelsmann's imminent departure emerged on Thursday night. The 35-year-old will feel hard done by, as Bayern won the Bundesliga title during his first season in charge and have a great chance of repeating the feat this time around.
More importantly, Bayern are enjoying a superb campaign in Europe. They knocked out Barcelona during the group stages of the Champions League and got the better of Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16. Yet that wasn't enough for Nagelsmann to keep his job.
Tuchel arrives in Bavaria with plenty of experience, as he has previously managed Mainz, Dortmund and PSG. The German, who has not managed another club since being sacked by Chelsea in September, has won trophies in three different countries.
Cancelo, 28, will return to City at the end of the season if Bayern decide against making his loan permanent for £61million. His surprise exit sparked rumours of a row with Guardiola, although the Portugal international quashed that theory in February.
"It’s a lie that I had a fight with Guardiola, a complete lie," he told Mundo Deportivo. "I didn’t feel important to the team in recent games. I spoke to the coach and he agreed. I, the coach and club decided I had to leave, that it was the the best option for me.
"I like new opportunities and have nothing against Manchester City. I took the step to reach the level I wanted to. I became the player I am and I’m very grateful to Pep and the club. They gave everything to me and my family and I’ll never forget it."
