Hansi Flick fuelled further speculation over his Bayern Munich future with ambiguous remarks in the aftermath of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting gave reigning European champions Bayern a 1-0 win on the night at Parc des Princes but a 3-3 aggregate scoreline saw them bow out on away goals after a thrilling contest.
It means Flick will not add another Champions League to the six trophies he has lifted since succeeding Niko Kovac midway through last season, although Bayern are favourites to retain the Bundesliga once more.
Nevertheless, rumours over both Flick's apparent interest in succeeding Joachim Low as Germany boss after the rescheduled Euro 2020 and a strained relationship with Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic have gathered pace.
The 56-year-old, who has a contract with Bayern until 2023, insisted he had no issue with Salihamidzic but would offer no guarantees over his future plans, stating he is yet to speak to incoming chief executive Oliver Khan.
"My relationship with Brazzo [Salihamidzic] is stable. Nothing will change that. He has his job, I have mine. I will keep doing as I have done all season, which is why everything is stable," Flick told Sky Deutschland.
"I don't have an appointment. If Oliver wants to talk to me then he can gladly do it. I don't know what he will want to talk about.
"The last few weeks, in terms of media, were not that easy. I never had anything new to say, so I think you have to respect a coach when he says he doesn't want to talk about these things anymore.
"I have a contract with Bayern but you always have thoughts about how the future looks and if everything is working wonderfully here.
"Whether I'm at the DFB [German Football Association] perhaps is irrelevant for my family. Whatever decision I make, they will support me. Having them behind me is a great feeling. I love the job and I can't imagine doing anything other than coaching.
"It's all about developing the team. That's immensely important for me. I'm always thinking about that, success is a constant process. With the six titles we won. We have set an incredible benchmark. Whether at the DFB or Bayern, the pressure is huge."
Speaking as part of Sky Deutschland's coverage of the PSG game, former Bayern and Germany midfielder Lothar Matthaus claimed Flick already has an offer to become Germany head coach, with Bayern turning their attentions to RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Matthaus stated Flick had now taken charge of his final Champions League game with Bayern and would step down after their last game of this Bundesliga season against Augsburg.
On the game itself, Flick rued both Bayern's collective wastefulness in the first leg and Leroy Sane's failure to make the most of a glorious stoppage-time opening in Paris.
"I think in the first leg in Munich, we scored too few. The third goal we conceded was one too many. 2-2 would have been enough," he added.
"I was hoping we might strike late. Leroy had that chance at the end and perhaps should have gone alone rather than deciding to cross the ball low."
Hayes concedes title race is over as Chelsea suffer dramatic Liverpool defeat
It has been a difficult week for Chelsea and their boss Emma Hayes.
After seeing their Champions League dreams dashed by holders Barcelona on Saturday, they had no margin for error when they travelled to Liverpool in the Women's Super League on Wednesday.
Six points behind Manchester City with two games in hand but an inferior goal difference, the Blues needed three points to stop Hayes' final season in charge from totalling unravelling.
But there was to be no respite for the Blues, who were at one point tipped for a quadruple but have been stuck in a downward spiral since losing Sam Kerr to an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the winter break.
Matt Beard's Liverpool put on a tremendous display to win 4-3, with Gemma Bonner scoring a stoppage-time equaliser to leave Hayes certain the title is out of reach.
"I think the title is done," she said after Wednesday's game.
"Of course mathematically it's not, but I think the title is done. Our job between now and the end of the season is to keep pushing until the end, but I think it will be very difficult.
"This team has done a tremendous job in my time here to push for titles.
"I don’t know if we have ever conceded four goals in a half before. Three from set pieces is just unforgivable. But I'm going to credit Liverpool."
Chelsea now need an almighty collapse from City, who may only require three points from their remaining two matches to seal the title, if their goal difference advantage holds firm.
Hayes believes fighting on multiple fronts has not helped her team, adding: "We looked exhausted but I don't want to make excuses.
"I want to remind our fans how much success we have brought over the years. It's just not to be this year."
Next up, Chelsea face relegated Bristol City in their final home game before Hayes departs to take the United States job, with City taking on Arsenal in Sunday's headline fixture.
Sancho outshines Mbappe as Dortmund seize initiative against PSG
Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho issued a reminder of his star quality as Borussia Dortmund beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday.
Niclas Fullkrug scored the winner after 36 minutes, taking in Nico Schlotterbeck's floated pass before driving a low shot beyond PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Fullkrug has now been involved in six Champions League goals this season (three goals, three assists), the joint-most by a German player in their debut campaign in the competition, alongside BVB team-mate Marco Reus in 2012-13 (four goals, two assists).
The star of the show, however, was undoubtedly Sancho.
He tormented Nuno Mendes throughout a lively performance, creating three chances for his team-mates – a game-high tally alongside Julian Brandt, Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi.
Sancho had completed seven dribbles by the halfway point, more than he managed in any full game for the Red Devils.
By full-time, that number had crept up to 12, the most by any player in a Champions League semi-final since Lionel Messi completed 16 for Barcelona against United in April 2008, and the most on record by an Englishman at any stage of the competition (since 2003-04).
Sancho even outshone Mbappe, who struck the far post with a curling effort early in the second half but was limited to just three shots totalling 0.17 expected goals (xG).
PSG did have their chances, though, with their total of 14 shots their most without scoring in any Champions League game since the second leg of their 2020-21 semi-final against Manchester City (also 14), when they were beaten 2-0 and eliminated from the competition.
Dortmund are now unbeaten in 11 straight Champions League home games, winning seven and drawing four.
It's their longest ever such streak at Signal Iduna Park, and they have also won four straight knockout games on their own turf for the first time in their Champions League history.
While Dortmund have a valuable lead to protect in Paris next Tuesday, Edin Terzic will be expecting a strong reaction from PSG.
The Ligue 1 champions have progressed from two of their last four Champions League knockout ties when losing the first leg, with the first of those successes coming against Dortmund in the last 16 in 2019-20 (1-2 away, 2-0 at home).
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain: Fullkrug hands hosts first-leg win
Niclas Fullkrug fired home a first-half winner as Borussia Dortmund claimed a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie in Germany.
Nico Schlotterbeck floated a pass into Fullkrug's path and the Germany international brought the ball under his spell with a wonderful touch before drilling a low shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 36th minute.
PSG, on the back foot for much of the first half, improved after the break and struck the woodwork twice in a matter of moments just after the restart.
Kylian Mbappe curled an effort against the right-hand post before Achraf Hakimi scuffed a shot against the other upright on the rebound as Edin Terzic's side escaped with a first-leg lead.
The teams will meet again at the Parc des Princes next Tuesday, with the winners of the tie facing either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid – who drew 2-2 in their first leg on Tuesday – in the final at Wembley Stadium.
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