Thomas Tuchel responds to Bayern Munich approach for Ralf Rangnick as fans set up petition

Bayern Munich are in talks to make Ralf Rangnick their new manager (PA)

Thomas Tuchel insists he is choosing to ‘ignore’ Bayern Munich’s approach to make Ralf Rangnick their new head coach.

Bayern are searching for a new manager after it was announced in February that Tuchel would leave his role at the end of the season.

The Bundesliga clubs have already missed out on two of their preferred candidates – Xabi Alonso and Julian Nagelsmann – and are now in talks with Rangnick, who currently manages Austria’s national side.

However, Bayern supporters have set up an online petition, which currently has over 12,000 signatures as of Friday afternoon, that calls on the club to keep Tuchel and not appoint Rangnick as his replacement.

When asked about the petition set up by Bayern fans, Tuchel said: ‘Even though this topic is good for me when they wish you to stay, it’s not something that is a priority and it isn’t allowed to be a priority.

Some Bayern Munich supporters are keen to keep Thomas Tuchel as manager (Getty)

‘In the next 11 days it’s only about football, nothing else. We want to achieve all we can and to gather as many points as possible in the Bundesliga to get the best result and to reach the final of the Champions League.

‘Whether it’s pleasant or unpleasant, I don’t allow myself to be influenced by it. We’re only focusing on every day counting towards our goals and there’s no exception.’

Asked about Bayern’s approach for Rangnick, Tuchel said: ‘This question is like the noise-making neighbour at three in the morning, if we’re honest.

‘I’ll set my headphones to noise-cancelling mode and ignore that. This topic won’t help me tomorrow, and won’t help me on Tuesday, and it’s not my topic.’

Rangnick himself revealed Bayern’s approach for his services this week.

‘There has been contact from the side of Bayern Munich and I have informed the Austrian Football Association,’ Rangnick said.

‘If Bayern say: ‘We want you’. And then I would also have to ask myself: ‘Do I really want this?’.

‘If I want to do something else I will first discuss it with the Austrian FA.’

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