Bayern Munich director sends warning over 'problems' with Julian Nagelsmann
Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has admitted that 'discipline issues' played a part in the club's decision to sack Julian Nagelsmann.
Nagelsmann was shockingly sacked by Bayern and replaced by ex-Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel on Friday, despite the club's decent form both on the continent and in Germany.
Although a recent defeat to Bayer Leverkusen saw Bayern knocked off top spot in the Bundesliga table, FC Hollywood had recently cruised to a UEFA Champions League round of 16 triumph over PSG and had scored a whopping 72 goals in just 25 league games thus far this season.
Sporting director Salihamidzic, in an interview with Sport1, has given insight into why the young manager was sacked despite the impressive on-pitch performances, alluding to issues behind-the-scenes as the key reason for Nagelsmann's dismissal.
"Of course there were problems - and we had a few discipline issues. Julian Nagelsmann is a very good coach. But we had a few problems," he said.
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"It was an emotionally difficult decision, especially for me, who sat in the dressing room with Julian every day. When it's that trusting and when you have that kind of bond, it's very difficult to make a decision like that.
"We always wanted to be behind Julian until the last second. Then, when we analysed it, we noticed that the trend just wasn't going up anymore - and only then did we contact Thomas Tuchel. We met for the first time on Tuesday - and then the process went very quickly."
Salihamidzic's comments may set off alarm bells at Tottenham Hotspur, who are interested in appointing Nagelsmann as Antonio Conte's replacement once he inevitably leaves the club.
90min reported earlier this week that Tottenham would be interested in speaking to Nagelsmann to replace Conte as head coach but they have not made a concrete decision on their next move.
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On this edition of Oh What a Night, part of the 90min podcast network, Sean Walsh & Jude Summerfield discuss the issues at Tottenham Hotspur and who is to blame for where the club find themselves. If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!