There had been nothing emanating from Bayern Munich once the news broke yesterday that they had sacked coach Julian Nagelsmann and lined-up Thomas Tuchel to replace him. Nagelsmann turned up at the Sabener Straße headquarters this afternoon with his agents and stayed for about an hour to be officially informed about his marching orders.
Bayer CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidžic have now released statements explaining the reasoning behind their decision to fire Nagelsmann with nine Bundesliga matches remaining.
“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” Oliver Kahn explained. “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.”
Hasan Salihamidžic added his justification saying: “This has been the most difficult decision in my time as 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 the 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.”
Ruthless.
The Bavarians are going to be left counting the cost of the Julian Nagelsmann era with the former Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig coach having cost them some €60 million all in and they will have to continue paying his €10 million per year contract until he finds a new job.
