Thomas Tuchel puts Arsenal on alert with Borussia Dortmund boss ‘set to leave following bust-up with club chiefs’

THOMAS TUCHEL is set to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season – putting Arsenal on red alert.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, the Bundesliga side’s CEO, admitted his relationship with Tuchel has become increasingly strained over the decision to face Monaco just a day after the bomb blasts.

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The squad was left shaken and defender Marc Barta needed a wrist operation after three explosions hit the Dortmund bus on the way to their first leg at the Westfalenstadion on April 11.

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Boss Tuchel claimed that he had not been involved in the decision “at all” to play the game just 24 hours later.

Tuchel is thought to have the support of Dortmund chairman Reinhard Rauball.

But Bild claim the breakdown in relations with Watzke will see Tuchel go at the end of the season – a year before the end of his contract.

AP:Associated Press

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The German paper have previously claimed that the Gunners have made an approach to Tuchel as they eye replacements for Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal have since denied that.

Asked if there was a clear difference in his and Tuchel's version of events over the postponement of the Monaco game, Watzke said: "Yes, there is.

"It was too serious a matter for us to make a decision above the heads of everyone.

"It wasn't for nothing in the discussions on Wednesday morning that I made it clear that every player who didn't feel in a position to play had until the afternoon to say so.

"The coach obviously also had the right to point that out, but I was never confronted with such a scenario."

Watzke said he was irritated when some players later complained that they had been made to play.

Defender Sokratis said he had been made to feel "like an animal, not a human being".

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Watzke added: "I would take with a pinch of salt the words of players who were in the middle of such a pressure situation and who were physically and mentally completely exhausted after the game.

Asked to respond ahead of a 2-1 win over top-four rivals Hoffenheim, Tuchel said: "I do not want to go into that or think about it at this point.

"We can't allow ourselves to be distracted in this phase of the season.

"It's just about reaching our sporting goals. Something like this shouldn't be a subject and that goes for the next game too."

Dortmund are third in the Bundesliga and on course for an automatic Champions League spot.