“It just has to be there”
Tuchel defends training guest Boateng
October 2, 2023, 9:19 p.m
Before the Champions League game in Copenhagen, Thomas Tuchel has to comment in detail about training guest Jérôme Boateng, whose case is being heard again in court because of alleged attacks against his ex-girlfriend. The Bayern coach wants to concentrate on sports.
In the event of a possible signing of Jérôme Boateng, Thomas Tuchel is presumed innocent. Bayern Munich’s coach emphasized this in the evening in Copenhagen. According to Tuchel, he understands discussions among the fans: “The presumption of innocence still applies when proceedings are suspended. That is the case at the moment. Because that is the case, we as a football club have the right to make football decisions.”
You have “the right to let a deserving player, like Jerome, train with the club where he had these successes. That simply has to be possible.” Tuchel was relegated the evening before the Champions League game at FC Copenhagen (Tuesday, 9 p.m./Prime Video and ntv.de live ticker) on the tense personnel situation at the German record champions. “Jerome is in Munich anyway and wanted to keep fit. We gave him the opportunity to train with us. And then we will make a decision.”
According to sporting director Christoph Freund, FC Bayern wants to make a decision this week. The new court case against the 2014 world champion for bodily harm should not have a significant impact on this. “Sporting considerations play a role first and foremost,” Freund confirmed before the midday departure. The goal is to decide by the end of the week whether the 35-year-old will return to Munich.
Tuchel has so far “not noticed at all” that the Boateng issue is causing unrest in the team. “Jerome currently lives in Munich and has kept himself fit there,” said Tuchel, describing Boateng as a “deserving player” who “has delivered top performances for many years at an absolutely top club in Germany. The doors are always open. “
The two regular central defenders Dayot Upamecano (pubic bone) and Min-Jae Kim (muscular problems) are injured, Matthijs de Ligt (knee) will, according to his friend, be out “for a few more days” and “the pain is still quite bad”. “A role as a backup” is planned for Boateng. “We have seen that we are thinly positioned. He should step in if necessary.”