Bayern’s sporting director explains Julian Naglesmann’s decision to reject the chance to manage the club

Julian Naglesmann was sacked by Bayern last year

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has insinuated that Julian Naglesmann rejected the chance to return to the club because he is still bitter about his sacking last year. Naglesmann was given the boot in March 2023 when the Bavarians were struggling in the league and trailed Borussia Dortmund in the title race.

He has since joined the German national team and even recently extended his contract with Die Mannschaft to 2026 ahead of the Euro Cup on home turf. The 36-year-old was offered a chance to manage Bayern again, as Tuchel is set to leave this summer, but Naglesmann turned it down. Eberl, the Bayern sporting director, has revealed that the former coach’s decision could be influenced by his acrimonious exit.

Speaking to Sky Germany, he said:

“It is clear that we have to talk to the coaches to find a coach and that we have our list with whom we always try to communicate and compare notes. That was also the case. We also spoke to Julian [Nagelsmann] without it being the final scene. And at some point you realized – okay, the sting from back then is still very fresh and that’s why it bothers us.”

Naglesmann took charge of the Bundesliga giants in 2021 and guided them to a domestic double of Bundesliga and DFB Pokal that season, before clinching another league cup the following year. Yet, the manager was sacked last year, which may not have gone down well with him.

In a further blow for Bayern, Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has also turned down the chance to join the side as the Spaniard has opted to remain with Die Werkself. He guided the club to their first-ever top-flight title earlier this month, ending Bayern’s 11-year dominance in the Bundesliga.

Bayern looking to end season with a Champions League title

Having started their campaign by losing the DFL Supercup, Bayern Munich has since lost the DFB Pokal as well as the Bundesliga but remains active in the Champions League. The Bavarians have reached the semi-finals for the first time since winning the title in 2020, and compete with Real Madrid for a place in the Wembley showpiece as the Champions League is their last hope of winning silverware this season.

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