It was a nine-year low, leaving Bayern Munich destined to plummet to depths they had not experienced at the end of a season for 12 years. When Thomas Tuchel's departure was announced, they had just lost three consecutive games, for the first time since 2015. Bundesliga losses to Bayer Leverkusen and Heidenheim, one emphatic against the league leaders, the other embarrassing against relative minnows, rendered it a formality that, for the first time since 2012, Bayern would not be champions. Sandwiched by them the other setback in a disastrous eight days was 1-0 to Lazio. To compound a wretched season, Bayern risked missing out of the Champions League quarter-finals, something they had only done once since 2011.
Tuchel, Bayern said in February, would stay until the end of the season. The temptation was to wonder if he would make it that far. Now an alternative exit feels feasible. Instead of becoming another Jurgen Klinsmann, a big name to flounder amid the unique pressures of Sabener Strasse, Tuchel may yet emulate Jupp Heynckes, conquering Europe in his final act. The difference now is that, whereas in 2013 Bayern had already lined up Pep Guardiola, the most coveted manager in the world, now their search for Tuchel's successor looks increasingly desperate. It won't be Xabi Alonso or Julian Nagelsmann, who had each seemed the top target. Ralf Rangnick is the favourite but, as Bayern fans reflected in a petition and a presumably unsuccessful attempt to ensure Tuchel stays, it probably won't be anyone with his pedigree.
But then that could be because, in 10 days, he will have a unique achievement. For now, Tuchel is in a select group of nine to coach two clubs in a Champions League or European Cup final; eliminate another of them, Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid, and he will become the first to lead three in the biggest club game in the world. And if they come within five seasons at three clubs who all chose to dispense with his services, perhaps it says something about a manager who has come to seem a short-termist, succeeding and falling out with people. Except that, at Bayern, he may have done it the other way around.
The latter came with Chelsea in limbo, with Roman Abramovich sanctioned, the club's future in doubt and no actual owner; Tuchel seemed happier then than reporting to Todd Boehly. But perhaps a sense of uncertainty can bring the best from him. Now, with no need to think about next season, or to placate, he is liberated to play Joshua Kimmich at right-back, to bench Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-Jae so Eric Dier can start.
He can leave other issues for his successor to resolve. Very different things can be true: there are underlying problems at Bayern and they need an overhaul but it is still one of the best squads in Europe. Tuchel wanted more signings last summer, from Joao Palhinha to Declan Rice via Scott McTominay, but he could still pay PS86m for the 30-year-old Harry Kane and got Kim, Serie A's best defender in 2022-23.