Julian Nagelsmann and FC Bayern: Should the current national coach return to Säbener Straße? A pro and con.
Munich – At the end of February, FC Bayern sent out a press release. Content: After the recent appearances, the club and Thomas Tuchel decided to end the collaboration, which was actually planned until June 2025, this summer.
Since then, the record champions have been looking for a coach. Preferred candidate Xabi Alonso recently canceled and stated that he wanted to continue his work with designated champions Bayer Leverkusen. Ralf Rangnick, the current Austrian national coach and reportedly also in Bayern's focus, says he is also unavailable.
Therefore, there has been speculation for weeks now about a return campaign for Julian Nagelsmann at FC Bayern. Accordingly, the Munich bosses are allegedly dealing with the current national coach, who currently only has a contract with the DFB until after the 2024 European Championship.
But would Julian Nagelsmann's return to FC Bayern actually make sense? A pro and con to the Nagelsmann discussion.
The point of view of the debate:
PRO: FC Bayern has a unique opportunity
The release of Julian Nagelsmann was a mistake - not only Uli Hoeneß said this bluntly, but a look at the balance sheet and the general mood under his successor Thomas Tuchel is enough to realize this.
With the surprising change of coach, Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic took a risk that not only went completely wrong, but also cost them their jobs a few months later.
Nagelsmann back to FC Bayern? Kahn and Brazzo's gamble backfired
If Nagelsmann himself wants to, as he is said to, a return to FC Bayern would be the most sensible solution for all parties. Also because there are no alternatives and he doesn't need any training. Preferred candidate Alonso doesn't want to, Ralf Rangnick doesn't want to. Who else should do it?
Yes, Nagelsmann also made mistakes in Munich back then. Even under him there was an embarrassing cup exit, wildly fluctuating performances and disruptive noises à la Tapalovic. But the crucial difference to Tuchel is: Nagelsmann was expressly allowed to make mistakes; he was brought in on a five-year contract in order to build something.
Nagelsmann was already expected to make a change back then - now he has the time
Maximum success was expected immediately from Tuchel, and a successful change from Nagelsmann. Nevertheless, he had to leave when his team still had all three chances of winning the title and had only just swept past PSG.
At FC Bayern, everyone who was responsible for Nagelsmann's exit is now gone. Bayern have the unique opportunity to publicly admit and revise their mistake - and thereby make themselves more credible again. You should use them.
Facts about the debate:
Official
:
FC Bayern
releases
coach
Julian Nagelsmann
“It just wasn’t true”
:
Nagelsmann
speaks plainly about
his dismissal from FC Bayern
Nagelsmann return to FC Bayern?
New details leaked
Coach decision at FC Bayern:
Statements from Freund give an idea of the first tendency
The point of view of the debate:
CONTRA: FC Bayern needs to be completely renovated - no comeback coach will help
There is no need to talk too much about Julian Nagelsmann's professional qualities. Also that his dismissal from FC Bayern in March 2023 was a poorly considered decision by those in charge at the time and probably only happened because they were afraid of not getting Thomas Tuchel again.
However, even back then on Säbener Strasse not only praises were sung for Nagelsmann, but the lack of distance to one or the other star was also viewed critically there. The still young coach also lacked a certain maturity that a Bayern coach needs in one situation or another.
Julian Nagelsmann at FC Bayern: Back then, not everything that glittered was gold
If you look at the current situation at FC Bayern, you can't actually bring Nagelsmann back because the club doesn't just need spring cleaning, it needs to be completely renovated! A return campaign by an ex-coach would be completely the wrong signal.
His successor, Tuchel, had no more or less success with the team than Nagelsmann, but in his one-year stint it was positively perceived that he broke up so-called old cliques within the team and harshly criticized stars internally who had been protected for years.
FC Bayern needs a breath of fresh air – and not just spring cleaning
After such a Bayern season, there needs to be a breath of fresh air. There has to be a coach who stands for a new beginning - and not a comeback coach. Even if, once again, his dismissal may have been wrong in terms of timing.
It is clear that Julian Nagelsmann definitely has what it takes to coach FC Bayern. However, at 36 years old (!) he is still very young. His time as Bayern coach will come again, but not this summer.