Football
Mark Lovell, Bayern Munich blogger 6y

Bayern bosses have asked Mats Hummels' opinion of Jurgen Klopp

Mats Hummels has said that his bosses at Bayern Munich have asked him for the lowdown on his former coach Jurgen Klopp as the German champions step up their search for a new manager.

Hummels, 28, won the Bundesliga with Klopp at Borussia Dortmund in consecutive seasons in 2011 and 2012. The central defender progressed through all of Bayern's youth teams but made just a solitary league appearance in his first spell before opting to join Dortmund -- initially on loan and then permanently in 2009.

Following eight-and-a-half years at their biggest rival, he rejoined the Bundesliga champions on a five-year deal last summer for a fee of €35 million.

Liverpool boss Klopp has been linked with the vacant position at the Allianz Arena, but former Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel and Hoffenheim's Julian Nagelsmann have also been linked to the vacancy left by Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked following Bayern's 3-0 Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

"I'm following Jurgen Klopp really closely because of the seven years we had when he coached me at Borussia Dortmund," he told Sky Sports. "I was really happy when he had a good start this year, but right now it looks a little tough for him and the club.

"But he and the team will get out of this situation, it's not too bad but it's not as good as they wanted it to be."

Hummels revealed he was happy to vouch for Klopp's qualities as a prospective manager but insisted he was in the dark over Ancelotti's successor. He also admitted he didn't know where his employer's stood on Tuchel as a candidate either.

Hummels said: "Regarding Munich, they talked to me and asked me something [about Klopp] and I said my opinion.

"But I don't know if [Tuchel] is the most likely candidate for the job, or if there is one or two others. I have no idea.

"I will be as curious as all of us, reading newspapers to see what's going to happen."

Hummels denied on Monday that he had any involvement in the sacking of Ancelotti, saying he was not a "Kingslayer" after reports suggested he was one of five players who had turned against the Italian. 

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