Less than two years in charge of Bayern Munich, Julian Nagelsmann has been replaced by Thomas Tuchel, who will serve as the club’s coach until 2025.

The sack comes just as the Bundesliga champion is currently second in the standings, one point behind Borussia Dortmund.

Premier League side Chelsea fired Tuchel in September, replacing him with former Brighton coach Graham Potter.

Tuchel succeeds Nagelsmann on a contract that runs until June 30, 2025. He will begin training on Monday.

Speaking on the development, Bayern chief executive Oliver Kahn, said the club took the decision to sack Nagelsmann as a result of a drop in the team’s performance.

“But now we have come to the conclusion that the quality in our squad – despite the Bundesliga title last year – has come to the fore less and less often,” he said.

“After the World Cup we have played less successfully and less attractively. The big fluctuations in performance have cast doubt on our goals for this season, but also our goals for the future. That is why we have acted now. 

“Personally and on behalf of Bayern, I would like to thank Julian and his coaching team, and wish everyone the best of luck for the future,” he added.

Nagelsmann won the league by eight points in his first season as manager of Bayern after spending time at RB Leipzig. He also won the German Supercup in 2021 and 2022.

After losing to Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 on Sunday, his team has just five victories in their last 10 league games.

Dino Topmoller, Benjamin Gluck, and Xaver Zembrod, three additional assistant coaches, have also left the club, according to Bayern.

The Bundesliga champions defeated Paris Saint-Germain to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals. They will face Manchester City for the chance to be among the teams competing in the tournament’s semi-finals.