By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The general mood couldn't be jollier ahead of the upcoming winter-break for the ruling German Champion Bayern Munich.
Having narrowed the gap to Bundesliga leader RB Leipzig and runner-up Borussia Moenchengladbach to four points gives the Bavarians all chances for a successful comeback.
The circle of dancing players after the last-minute victory (3-1) in Freiburg indicates the team-spirit has reached new heights with one game to go against VfL Wolfsburg in the season's first leg.
It is more than a bold guess that ambitions and determinations have been revitalized. The upswing is said to help the club leaders make the right decisions regarding most urgent challenges.
COACHING ISSUE
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge's admiration for Thomas Tuchel is an open secret. Media reports speak about ongoing talks behind between the Bavarians and the entourage of the current Paris St Germain coach.
Bayern's ideal conception is a close partnership of Tuchel and their current interims coach Hansi Flick. The former Borussia Dortmund manager is expected to deliver tactical guidelines as the head-coach while the former German national team assistant's job is to address the personal and emotional note.
The 2013 treble winner seems on its way to appoint Flick as head-coach until next summer but has opened all doors for Tuchel to join in as soon as the winter break.
Early engagement of the 46-year old seems unlikely as he intends to finish his job in the French capital. The Bavarian-born coach is said to have decided to leave; not even stunning success in the Champions League could change his mind.
Some optimists at Bayern are said to think about Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola. But a return of the Spanish star coach seems unlikely.
COUTINHO FUTURE
Ups and Downs stamp the path of the Brazilian midfielder in Bayern's shirt. Disappointing games like in Freiburg follow stunning performances like the one against Bremen (three goals/two assists/6-1).
Bayern paid 8.5 million euros for the on-loan-deal for one year. Reports speak of an additional 120 million to buy the genius-like footballer from FC Barcelona.
Considering Bayern's other plans, it seems unlikely the 27-year-old remains at the German side. The market value has been downrated from 90 to 70 million.
Several Bayern stars like Robert Lewandowski pledged in favour of Coutinho.
SANE RUMORS
Media reports speak of the 23-year-old wingers' final commitment for Bayern. The German international is recovering from a knee injury and has taken up grass pitch training last week.
The Citizens performer is expected to return to action, not before spring 2020, but remains Bayern's primary target.
The deal is said to be worth up to 130 million euros. A move this winter-break seems unlikely as reports speak about a contract for next summer.
German national coach Joachim Loew said he is positive about Sane to turn up in Bayern's shirt shortly.
MIDFIELD/BACK-ROW GAPS
Several attempts failed to convince Bayer Leverkusen to sell German international Kai Havertz. The club is said to demand 130 million euros for the talented midfielder.
Havertz has been on Bayern's list for a while. In case the deal doesn't work, the German record-champion is said to continue to count on Thiago Alcantara. According to reports, the Spaniard is on the list of several Spanish clubs after he had to face critics in Munich due to poor defensive performance.
To allow Joshua Kimmich's change to midfield, Bayern is said to eye German international Benjamin Henrichs (AS Monaco) for the right-back position after Benjamin Pavard has to help out as a central due to the injuries of Niklas Suele and Lucas Hernandez.
