‘A big surprise’ – Germany stunned by Bayern Munich sacking Julian Nagelsmann and hiring Thomas Tuchel reports
Updated 06/04/2023 at 08:06 GMT
Julian Nagelsmann is reportedly on the verge of a surprise sacking at German giants Bayern Munich. The footballing world has been taken by storm at the news of his reported firing, as well as the rumoured hiring of former Borussia Dortmund, PSG and Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel in his stead. In order to find out more, we got in touch with Marc Hlusiak from Eurosport Germany.
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It’s safe to say that Germany has been left as stunned as the rest of the footballing world by Bayern Munich’s shock decision to sack manager Julian Nagelsmann during the international break.
Whilst the news is still not official, it has been widely reported both in Germany and abroad that Nagelsmann will be fired, potentially as early as Friday, with Thomas Tuchel coming in. Fabrizio Romano was the first to report it.
In order to try and find out more about the situation, we got in touch with Marc Hlusiak from Eurosport Germany.
We started by asking Hlusiak just how surprised he and others in Germany were by this news?
“To be honest: It's a big surprise,” he replied. "Nobody expected that.
“The reporters who cover the club day-to-day are also puzzled about the reasons as to why.”
That is, of course, the million-dollar question. Why are Bayern reportedly set to sack Nagelsmann?
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Julian Nagelsmann
Image credit: Getty Images
“That is the question,” says Hlusiak. “One answer could be that those responsible were afraid Thomas Tuchel might no longer be available at the end of the season.
“So if you already knew that you didn't want to continue with Nagelsmann in the long-term, then you go all-in during the international break.
“In addition, the bosses don’t trust Nagelsmann to survive against Manchester City and Dortmund.
“These are the three most important games of the season that are coming up directly after the international break.”
One of the theories reported when the news broke on Thursday evening was that Bayern had gotten wind that Tuchel might have been approached by another club, either now or at the end of the season, and decided to act now to avoid missing out on him.
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Thomas Tuchel
Image credit: Getty Images
“That seems to be one of the most logical explanations at the moment.” Hlusiak replied. “But we still don't know anything specific. Everyone is surprised.”
On Friday morning, respected Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg reported a series of reasons as to why Bayern look set to make the move.
These included a lack of development, both for the team in general and specific players, as well as the higher-ups at Bayern being reportedly unimpressed with Nagelsmann’s decision to go skiing during the international break rather than stay in Munich and prepare for City and Dortmund.
We went back to Hlusiak after this report was published and this was his response.
“The ski aspect is new and interesting," he said. "Nagelsmann has been absent from team training for the past two days - after a defeat.
In fact, it's the wrong sign, if you think about it.
“But I can't imagine that that alone was the last straw. But it may play into the overall picture.”
Hlusiak went on to say that it is going to be important for the club’s hierarchy to explain their decision, especially after so many public proclamations about the Nagelsmann hire being a long-term project.
“If you look at social media, it is clear that many do not agree with Nagelsmann's dismissal.
"It was only on Monday that president Herbert Hainer praised Nagelsmann in a major interview with 'Kicker' and emphasised that long-term plans were being made with him.
“In any case, the current situation has a bad after-taste, especially since Nagelsmann was brought in for €25 million and now Bayern has to pay a similarly high severance payment.
“So the decision costs a lot of money, and those responsible will have to explain it.”
When asked about any possible other names who might be under consideration in the future given that they have Tuchel so firmly in mind this time, Hlusiak doesn’t have many options and did add that this is a risky move.
“Not much can come after Nagelsmann and Tuchel. [Liverpool manager Jurgen] Klopp could be the last shot, maybe [former Real Madrid manager Zinedine] Zidane.
“But it is more than clear that this is a high-risk decision that can blow Bayern completely in the face. Any future names are not being mentioned here yet.”
As one final question for Hlusiak, we asked about Nagelsmann himself. There are many who have made the comparisons between Nagelsmann and two of the great managers of this generation, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, in terms of how intense they can be.
As someone who covered Nagelsmann extensively, Hlusiak thinks those comparisons are not fair to the German.
“Nagelsmann is very analytical, obsessed with detail. He certainly has that in common with Pep Guardiola," he said.
“Some say his style has offended many players - but that's speculation. Personally, I think he's a very ambitious coach with a clear idea. Sometimes maybe a little too head driven.
“The comparisons are understandable, but not really fair. Nagelsmann is only 35 years old and has not yet won anything apart from a championship title with Bayern. Pep, Mou and co. are world-class coaches - Nagelsmann is not yet.”
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