Ilkay Gundogan critiques Thomas Tuchel credentials amid Barcelona job links

Ilkay Gundogan has given a glowing assessment of outgoing Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel, with the German linked with succeeding Xavi at Barcelona.

Barcelona recently confirmed that Xavi will leave the club at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, with the Catalan giants' form nowhere near the levels produced last season en route to winning La Liga.

Despite picking up ten points from the last 12 available, Barcelona trail bitter rivals Real Madrid by eight points and have already exited the Copa del Rey after a crushing defeat at Athletic Club.

The rumour mill has been spinning in regards to Xavi's potential successor, with a number of high-profile managers linked, and former Champions League winner Tuchel, who will depart Bayern Munich in the summer after similar underperformance in Bavaria, is among those in the running.

Gundogan previously worked with Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund for a year, and the German midfielder had nothing but good things to say about when probed about his former manager.

"I'm very surprised that Bayern are having difficulties now. With Thomas Tuchel they have one of the best coaches in Europe," Gundogan said.

"I can only say positive things about him from when we were at Dortmund. He's outstanding tactically and extremely honest and open. Personally, I got along very well with him."

Before his Bayern departure was officially announced, Tuchel openly flirted with the idea of taking over at Barcelona, referencing his openness to taking on another challenge abroad.

"Moving abroad would appeal to me again. Spain has an extraordinary league," he admitted. "From my perspective, and based on my experience working with Spaniards, they are characterised by a tremendous amount of self-confidence.

"When you speak with Spanish players, I quickly get the sense that you are engaging with the person."

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