Julian Nagelsmann SACKED by Bayern Munich with Thomas Tuchel to replace him

Julian Nagelsmann has been sacked by Bayern Munich – with former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel announced as his successor in the same statement. 

Bayern Munich, who have won the last 10 Bundesliga titles in a row, lie second in the league table, one point behind rivals Borussia Dortmund after their 2-1 loss against Bayer Leverkusen, with bosses unconvinced by Nagelsmann and informing him on Thursday his services are no longer required.

The 35-year-old received the news while away on a skiing holiday and it arrived as a major shock with Bayern still in the title race and the Champions League. 

Nagelsmann jetted back to Munich on Friday and was seen arriving at the training ground in a black Audi with his agents Kai Psotta and Sascha Breese.

The club confirmed his dismissal with nine games of the season remaining, with CEO Oliver Kahn admitting the club were forced to act after watching ‘big fluctuations in our performances’.

Bayern appointed ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel as his successor in the same statement

Bayern Munich have confirmed the sacking of Julian Naglesmann (L) and appointed former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel in the same statement

Nagelsmann jetted back to Munich on Friday to learn that Bayern had sacked him

Nagelsmann jetted back to Munich on Friday to learn that Bayern had sacked him

He drove a black Audi into the club's training ground where bosses broke the news to him

He drove a black Audi into the club’s training ground where bosses broke the news to him

‘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,’ he said in a statement. 

‘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.’ 

Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said it was his toughest decision since taking up his role with the club, saying he ‘regretted’ having to part ways with Nagelsmann – but that Bayern were left with no choice after assessing the team’s recent displays. 

Tuchel - who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 - will be tasked with ensuring Bayern win the Bundesliga over old side Dortmund

Tuchel – who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 – will be tasked with ensuring Bayern win the Bundesliga over old side Dortmund 

‘This has been the most difficult decision in my time as a board member for sport at Bayern Munich,’ he said. ‘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.’

A report from German newspaper Bild detailed that Nagelsmann, who was under contract through until 2026, could end up costing Bayern £62million to sack, due to continuing to pay his salary until he lands a new job, the compensation they paid RB Leipzig to get him and the costs to bin his coaching staff.

Assistant coaches Dino Toppmoller and Xaver Zembrod, as well as video analyst Benjamin Gluck, are also leaving.

Nagelsmann’s last match in charge of Bayern Munich was a 2-1 loss against Bayer Leverkusen

Nagelsmann has had his critics since he arrived and reports in Germany detailed his lack of player development and the fact he chose to go on holiday during the international break, at such a key moment in the season, sent out the wrong message.

His final match in charge was a 2-1 defeat away to Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen, which left them second in the table behind Borussia Dortmund, who they face in their next match on April 1.

After defeat at Leverkusen, Nagelsmann ripped into his players for having ‘zero per cent work rate’.

Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic also labelled them ‘lazy, like I’ve never experienced’ after their title-race blow. 

Nagelsmann won 60 of his 84 games in charge of Bayern (71.4 per cent), having joined the club in July 2021.

In that time he has claimed one Bundesliga trophy and two German Super Cups. 

Tuchel will be tasked with winning the Bundesliga and going the distance in Europe. 

Nagelsmann leaves with a perfect record in the Champions League this season – eight win from eight games. That was still not enough to save him from the sack.

Nagelsmann (right) pictured shaking hands with Tuchel (left) during his time at Hoffenheim

Nagelsmann (right) pictured shaking hands with Tuchel (left) during his time at Hoffenheim

Bayern defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 on aggregate in his last Champions League match in charge in Bavaria. 

Eager for a clean slate ahead of crucial fixtures against Dortmund, Freiburg and Manchester City, Bayern felt a change in management would better protect their chances of winning the treble.

Tuchel is poised to take over midway through the international break.

Despite eviscerating his players after the Leverkusen loss, Nagelsmann remain highly regarded by senior players.

Speaking on Friday while away with the German national team, Joshua Kimmich said: ‘I can only say that Julian Nagelsmann is an outstanding coach. 

‘He’s easily in my top three best coaches.’ 

On Thursday night after Portugal beat Liechtenstein 4-0, Joao Cancelo was left stunned after he was told Nagelsmann had been sacked.

Nagelsmann was away skiing when he learned of his sacking from Bayern Munich on Thursday

Nagelsmann was away skiing when he learned of his sacking from Bayern Munich on Thursday

The German side are currently second in the Bundesliga behind title rivals Borussia Dortmund

The German side are currently second in the Bundesliga behind title rivals Borussia Dortmund

Portuguese full-back Cancelo was interviewed by SportTV after scoring the opener as Roberto Martinez’s side cruised to victory. 

A reporter told the 28-year-old that Nagelsmann had been sacked and Tuchel was replacing him.

The reporter said: ‘This is breaking news: coach change at Bayern. Tuchel is the new coach. What is your reaction?’ 

Cancelo looked shocked and replied: ‘I did not know! I’m a little surprised. Thanks to Nagelsmann, he was the one who wanted me at Bayern. All the luck in the world to him.

‘I’m going to try to adapt our coach’s concepts as much as possible because we have several important games, in the decisive phase of the season. 

‘Bayern is a team always ready to win everything.’



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