FCB star João Cancelo reacts to the dismissal of coach Julian Nagelsmann

Bayern Munich surprisingly parted ways with coach Julian Nagelsmann, with official confirmation expected on Friday. Thomas Tuchel is to be his successor. Now a first FCB star has reacted to Nagelsmann’s exit.

Official confirmation is still pending, but the separation from Nagelsmann is apparently a done deal for Bayern. Corresponding media reports suddenly made the rounds on Thursday evening. Tuchel should now ensure that the sporting goals are achieved in the current season, starting with the league home game against Borussia Dortmund on April 1st.

Full-back João Cancelo, on loan from Manchester City, was the first Bayern star to be asked about Nagelsmann’s exit: the Portuguese appeared in front of the cameras on Thursday evening after the 4-0 win in the European Championship qualifier against Liechtenstein – and was completely clueless.

“I didn’t know that, I’m a little surprised,” he told the TV station sports tv. “I would like to thank coach Nagelsmann because it was he who wanted me at Bayern, as did the club management. That took me by surprise. I wish him all the luck in the world.”

Cancelo has not had a regular place under Nagelsmann, at times Josip Stanisic was preferred to him on the right-hand side. “When I arrive I will try to fit into the new coach’s concept as much as possible,” he said. “I hope everything goes well because there are many important games coming up. It’s now the decisive phase of the season.”

The 28-year-old was also asked about Tuchel. Cancelo knows him from his time at Chelsea. With Man City he also lost the premier class final against Tuchel and the Blues in 2021: “He made me lose a Champions League final, so I hope he wins it for me this year,” said Cancelo.