Flick praises 'one of the best' Tuchel amid fresh Bayern link

Berlin, Dec 6, 2019 (AFP) - Bayern Munich interim boss Hansi Flick on Friday described Thomas Tuchel as "one of the best German coaches" amid reports the Paris Saint-Germain manager could take charge of the reigning Bundesliga champions next season.

Bayern, who face current league leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach away on Saturday, are fourth in the table after Flick suffered a first defeat in five games as caretaker coach at home to Bayer Leverkusen last weekend.

Flick was put in charge until at least January after Niko Kovac was dismissed in early November.

Under Flick's stewardship, Bayern have already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners ahead of Tuesday's final group match at home to Tottenham.

PSG coach Tuchel, who has a contract in Paris until 2021, made it clear last month that he is "not interested" in joining another club, however magazine Sport Bild and daily paper Bild both claim he is an option for Bayern next season with Flick as his assistant.

"Personally, I find Thomas Tuchel is one of the best German coaches," said Flick when asked directly about the former Borussia Dortmund boss.

"I find it good the way in which he interprets football and how his teams play."

"Good names and big coaches" will "always" be linked to Bayern, he added.

The 54-year-old Flick, Germany's assistant coach when they won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, has said his future role will only be discussed internally "after Wolfsburg", Bayern's final match of 2019 on December 21.

Gladbach have won their last five home league games at Borussia Park and Flick was relaxed about a match where defeat could leave Bayern seven points behind the leaders.

"Gladbach is the leader in the table, we are fourth, but we can defeat any opponent," he said.

"It's clear that Bayern Munich want to become champions every season, but there are a few more teams who have that quality," added Flick, with RB Leipzig, Schalke and Bayern all within four points of Gladbach in the league table.