Kohler says Tuchel will be available soon

Thomas Tuchel could be available for European clubs as early as summer 2017 or 2018 at the latest, according to Borussia Dortmund insider and former German international Juergen Kohler, who say it is unlikely that the contract of the 43-year old BVB head coach will be extended in talks to be held after this season.

At present, Tuchel's contract is set to expire in June 2018. However, should both parties decide to end their collaboration next year, Dortmund and the coach may well terminate the contract immediately. Kohler and other pundits say there are major differences between the coach and the club management - despite the team reaching the German cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt in Berlin on May 27.

While Dortmund's fans were celebrating an impressive 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich in the Cup semifinal, Tuchel and the club leaders could not hide the gulf between them. 1990 World Cup winner Kohler predicts that not even winning the Cup would change the critical attitude of CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke and managing director Michael Zorc.

Winning the 2017 German Cup would be the first title for Dortmund in five years and the first ever in professional football for Tuchel.

Watzke and Zorc wanted a close relationship with the coach to follow on the intense partnership with Tuchel's predecessor Juergen Klopp, who left the club after seven successful years to work with Liverpool.

It has not worked out that way. Club leaders and Tuchel have made no secret of their different opinions regarding the team's development and future perspective. While Watzke has often stated that the team rebuilding process is over, Tuchel insists that expectations are far too high, adding that it was time to come down to earth a little.

After the famous victory in the German "clasico" against Bayern, Watzke renewed his statements that the team contains enough quality to challenge not only national clubs but is ready to play a vital role in international football too. Watzke said the win against their biggest rivals and the performance of the team in the Champions League is confirmation of the fact. However, he did say that "others have a different view."

In addition to Watzke, Kohler - the 1997 Champions League winner - told Berlin newspaper "Die Welt" that Dortmund's youngsters are experienced enough to challenge top international top clubs which in turn would also boost their development.

Dortmund meanwhile is highly competitive on the national and international stage, Kohler pointed out. Next season, the former Dortmund idol expects the club to be the closest rival for Bayern Munich in the league, despite clubs like RB Leipzig or TSG Hoffenheim doing extremely well this season.

Dortmund and Tuchel confirmed that they would start talks about the future as soon as the current season is finished. Both sides emphasized that the outcome of the Cup final would have no substantial influence as far as the future is concerned.

While Tuchel, according to rumors, is on the shopping list of several European clubs such as Arsenal, the outcome of the talks between coach and club could be influenced by which coaches are available to replace the current incumbent. 29-year old Julian Nagelsmann, head-coach of TSG Hoffenheim, is said to be a serious candidate for Bayern Munich as well, but he has confirmed his intention to at least stay another year in his present position.

Watzke is upset that Tuchel does not consider that the team's perspective is better than it was under Juergen Klopp, especially with Leverkusen defender Oemer Toprak and Moenchengladbach midfielder due to Dortmund at the start of the new season.

Watzke admitted that star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the only one that could disturb the club's squad policy. Despite having a contract until 2020, the Gabon striker could decide to leave as early as in June 2017. Recently German media reported that Aubameyang's father and manager was negotiating with Paris St. Germain.

Watzke recently said he is optimistic about keeping Aubameyang longer than summer of 2017, but if a club came up with a good offer, then Dortmund would be ready to talk. Potential buyers will have to be prepared to fork out least 60 million euro to buy the star striker. Some pundits report the sum to be about at least 70 to 80 million.

Watzke was surprised by Tuchel's reaction after the bomb attack on the team bus three weeks ago. Tuchel accused the club of not having done enough to postpone the first leg game which UEFA ordered to be played only 23 hours after the attack. The team had been left alone, said Tuchel, despite Watzke's unsuccessful attempt to find alternative date. Endit