Change of coach at Bayern: How the break between the club and Julian Nagelsmann came about

Julian Nagelsmann could have saved himself the trip to Säbener Strasse, he already knew what to expect there on Friday at FC Bayern headquarters. The course was already set: without him, but with Thomas Tuchel, who will succeed him as coach of the German record champions. But on the one hand it has to do with decency to tell your manager the reasons for the separation in a personal conversation. On the other hand, there is still a lot to be clarified at the end of the employment relationship, for example financially.

It wasn’t supposed to be like it was four years ago. After Carlo Ancelotti’s dismissal in September 2017, people weren’t quite convinced of Tuchel. Or better: Uli Hoeneß, who was still President and Chairman of the Supervisory Board at the time, was not. Those responsible had hesitated for half a year, hoping in vain to be able to persuade Jupp Heynckes to continue. When Hoeneß also had to realize that Bayern had to look for a new coach, Tuchel was no longer on the market. He had found an alternative in Paris St. Germain.

So now, on the second try, Tuchel has also landed in Munich for sport, the native Swabian has been a homeowner for a long time in his private life. On Monday, the 49-year-old will lead training for the first time, but only with a handful of players. Most of the squad will only return from the national teams in the middle of the week.

Nagelsmann had a troubled relationship with Manuel Neuer

In Munich, the situation should not be easy for Tuchel. Although the big alphas in Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge are gone, Bayern have a tradition of the club being the boss. In the long term, only coaches who came to terms and who cooperated have worked in Munich. Tuchel is someone who has his own mind and sometimes wants to get through the wall with it.

It was not due to a lack of willingness to compromise that the Nagelsmann era in Munich ended after only 19 months. It had long been rumored in the immediate vicinity of the club that Nagelsmann had lost the cabin. He had a few high performers as backers like Joshua Kimmich. But also a few players who were obviously skeptical or became. According to reports, Manuel Neuer’s relationship with Nagelsmann was not only disturbed since the dismissal of goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic in January.

Nagelsmann let indiscipline go for too long

Nagelsmann did not manage to form a unit that was also greedy in everyday life. There was a lack of consistency in performance last season and this season. Nagelsmann let indiscipline get away with it for too long.

Perhaps his relaxed management style is also due to his age. At 35, Nagelsmann is almost still part of the generation of players. In public, he also appeared more like that, showed up in smart clothes, came to training on a skateboard – and made headlines with his relationship. The fact that he was in a relationship with a “Bild” reporter did not exactly cause enthusiasm in the club. He was never able to shed the title of coaching talent at FC Bayern.

Tuchel has the advantage of having already achieved a few merits. Bayern are now also hoping for this effect. The new coach doesn’t have to change anything fundamental, just set a few new impulses. The team can, if they want to – and if the coach manages to give them the right attitude. The upcoming Bundesliga game against the new leaders Borussia Dortmund would be the right occasion for this.