Bayern Munich chiefs explain reasons for brutal Nagelsmann sacking as Tuchel confirmed | Football | Sport
Bayern Munich chiefs Hasan Salihamidžić and Oliver Kahn have explained why their side decided to part ways with manager Julian Nagelsmann on Friday despite the club being in a solid position in all competitions. The Allianz Arena outfit opted to replace the young coach with Thomas Tuchel in a surprising change of face.
Bayern are currently just a point behind Bundesliga league leaders Borussia Dortmund and still one of the favourites to win the Champions League, having beaten Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16 earlier this month. The German giants are also still in the DFB-Pokal and do not appear to have regressed even slightly.
Thus, the news that they had sacked Nagelsmann in favour of former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel stunned supporters. Bayern executive Kahn, therefore, attempted to explain the decision, citing that performances are not as fluent as they once were, despite results.
He said: “When we signed Julian Nagelsmann for FC Bayern in the summer of 2021, we were convinced we would work with him on a long-term basis – and that was the goal of all of us right up to the end. Julian shares our aspiration to play successful and attractive football.
“But now we have come to the conclusion that the quality in our squad – despite the Bundesliga title last year – has come to the fore less and less often. After the World Cup, we have played less successfully and less attractively. The big fluctuations in performance have cast doubt on our goals for this season, but also our goals for the future. That is why we have acted now.
“Personally and on behalf of FC Bayern, I would like to thank Julian and his coaching team, and wish everyone the best of luck for the future.”
Salihamidžić agreed with the sentiment of his colleague, with the sporting director explaining: “This has been the most difficult decision in my time as a board member for sport at Bayern Munich. I have had an open, trusting, friendly relationship with Julian from day one. I regret the parting of ways with Julian.
“But after a thorough analysis of the sporting development of our team, especially since January and with the experience of the second half of the previous season, we have now decided to release him.
“I am very grateful to Julian for what he has done for FC Bayern and I wish him all the best.”
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Nagelsmann, with his tenure at Bayern certainly not doing any damage to his reputation as one of the brightest young managers in Europe. Tottenham are keen on the German, having previously attempted to prise the former RB Leipzig boss to north London in 2021.
