TV pundit Hamann apologizes for criticizing Bayern coach Tuchel

Former Bayern Munich and Germany player Dietmar Hamann apologized on Tuesday after he criticized Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel.

Hamann, who's a pundit for broadcasters Sky, criticized Tuchel for a statement on possibly working outside Germany again in the future.

"I heard Thomas Tuchel's statement during the fan club visit. In connection with the news of Xavi's resignation from Barcelona and the current situation at Bayern, I found the statement inappropriate," Hamann said.

"Later, in an emotional discussion, I then referred to it and wrongly expressed and misinterpreted Thomas Tuchel's statement. He did not say that he would like to coach Barcelona or in Spain. I would like to apologize to Thomas Tuchel and Bayern for that," he explained

During a sports show on Sky, Hamann had said: "Then he sits there and talks about Xavi, about the succession and that he would like to train in Barcelona or Spain. That's cheeky."

"He's a very intelligent man, he doesn't just slip out like that. But he needs to know one thing: If you're an employee of FC Bayern, messing with the management was rarely a good idea."

Bayern Munich on Monday hit out at critics of their coach Tuchel, saying that "he never spoke about Xavi Hernández and his successor, as was falsely claimed afterwards."

The club explained that Tuchel "was asked by supporters on Sunday as part of a fan club visit about his coaching career and his previous experiences abroad at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, and naturally provided information about this during the discussion.

"He also answered general questions from fans about Spain as a footballing country.

"We will no longer accept such non-factual statements directed against our coach, which always come from the same source.”