Just a few months ago, Eric Dier was an afterthought buried on Tottenham Hotspur’s depth chart.
Now at Bayern Munich, Dier is a consistent starter for a team in the Champions League semifinals. The Englishman realize — and appreciates — the wild ride, especially with the way Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel has treated him.
“He is a fantastic person. He was a very good manager in the Premier League, and he is also a good manager here. I think he is very genuine. What you see is who he is and I really appreciate that as a manager. I am extremely grateful for him bringing me to this great club and giving me that opportunity. It has been great to work with him and I have learnt a lot in a short time and I am very grateful to him for giving me this chance,” Dier told The Mirror (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “After the first six months of the season, to be playing in a Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid is something I am very proud of. I always believed in myself and always believed I should be playing at this level and yes, I kept a bit of blind faith in the first six months of the season and I am proud of the way I carried myself in those six months and that is what has enabled me to be in this position now.”
It might have sounded to crazy to say this just a few months ago, but where would the Bavarians be without Dier? One place they might be going with him is the Champions League finale, which will be held at Wembley Stadium. When asked if it held any significance of the game being held at that arena, Dier downplayed the notion.
“Not really. It is a Champions League final. I have played there a lot. Unfortunately it has lost something for me as I have played there a lot with Tottenham so I have been spoiled. It is a Champions League final and I would play in a car park because it is such a special game. I have been lucky to be in one Champions League final. It is the best thing in football so we are all extremely motivated to try and get there again. We will do everything to try and go there and win the game. We played two halves and have two to go,” Dier noted.
Looking for more thoughts and analysis on Ralf Rangnick becoming the latest coach to turn down Bayern Munich, along with the alleged interest in Bayer Leverkusen star Jonathan Tah? Heck, we’ve even got what to watch for in the return leg against Real Madrid! So, check out the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show on Spotify or below: