New coach Thomas Tuchel prepares for tough start at Bayern Munich

New Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel admitted he faces a challenging start to his new job after his surprise appointment to replace sacked Julian Nagelsmann.

Tuchel heads straight into some crucial games, starting with German title rivals - and Tuchel’s former club - Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund on April 1.

“The challenge can’t be any greater,” Tuchel said on Saturday.

Ten days later, Bayern play Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

There will be little time to rest or try out new tactics, with many Bayern players currently away with their national teams and they then go into seven games in the first 22 days of April.

“I was relatively naive in the first conversation (with Bayern). In the first 30 seconds I didn't know what we were discussing or what it was about,” Tuchel said.

Once it became clear Bayern wanted him to take charge immediately “it occurred to me that it actually begins right away with Dortmund with an international break beforehand.”

Welcome to FC Bayern, Thomas Tuchel!