Tuchel explains why Bayern Munich didn’t sign Cancelo permanently

Tuchel explains why Bayern Munich didn’t sign Cancelo permanently

Thomas Tuchel insists footballing reasons were not behind their decision to send Joao Cancelo back to Manchester City.

The Portuguese full-back joined Bayern on loan from City in the January window having fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola earlier in the campaign.

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Cancelo scored one goal and registered six assists in his half-season in Munich, but the German champions opted against making his move permanent at the end of his loan spell.

The 29-year-old is now back at City and could face Bayern when the two sides go head-to-head in pre-season on Wednesday.

Speaking ahead of the match, Tuchel was quizzed on Cancelo’s time in Germany and why Bayern opted against a permanent move for him.

He told reporters in Tokyo: “Never football reasons (behind his return). He is a fantastic football player.

“It was just that we have Alphonso Davies back, full strength from injury and we decided to sign Rapha Guerreiro as a free agent. So it was a matter of position and a matter of finance. He helped us a lot in the half a year he played for us. He is a fantastic guy and a fantastic footballer. That is why.”

It remains to be seen where Cancelo will be playing his football next season. It was thought that he had played his final game for the club, though Guardiola remained coy when recently asked about the Portuguese ace.

“He is here,” he said. “Joao has been so important for us in the past. He is back here and is part of the group. We will see what happens.”