Bayern captain Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller deny claims that Harry Kane & Co pushed for German coach to stay

Despite announcing his departure from the club at the end of the current season, Bayern Munich reportedly tried to keep Tuchel at the club after facing rejections from Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann, and Ralf Rangnick, according to the BILD. Sky Sports later reported that senior players like Thomas Muller, Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane tried to convince the German tactician to stay back at the club.

However, Muller and Neuer have now rebuffed the claims as they said they neither approached Tuchel nor did they try to convince him to make a U-turn on his decision. The Bavarian club suffered a shocking 4-2 defeat at the hands of Hoffenheim on Saturday as they finished third in the league.

Speaking to BILD after their final game of the season, Neuer said: "No, you can’t say that. It's always spoken every day... The reports were completely wrong. Thomas and I didn’t go to the trainer. I am very satisfied with the way he worked with us. I also thought that it could have continued. But it is not in our hands to say anything for Thomas Tuchel and his coaching team. All I can say is that they put everything into it and made the right preparations for the respective games.

"Basically, I believe that something has grown together between the team and the coaching team after the first game against Lazio. I think we had positive energy in the team and it would have worked well in the new season. Basically, the decision was made by the club and coaching team."

Muller added: "I cannot confirm that I was on the board."

The Bundesliga giants are yet to finalise Tuchel's successor. There were reports of Roberto De Zerbi joining the club ahead of the 2024-25 season after Brighton officially announced on Saturday that the Manchester United clash would be the Italian's last dance with the club. However, the club refuted the rumours by claiming they are not considering bring the 44-year-old coach next season.