Julian Nagelsmann: Liverpool's interest, Bayern sacking and why Chelsea & Tottenham passed on him

Julian Nagelsmann's managerial career to this point has been fascinating. His most exciting chapters may yet still be written in years to come.

At the age of just 36, he ranks among the world's top coaches. He has already ticked off several achievements of note despite his youth - leading minnows Hoffenheim into the Champions League for the first time, taking RB Leipzig to the semi-finals of that same competition, winning three trophies with Bayern Munich and then taking charge of Germany.

Nagelsmann's contract in charge of the German national team expires at the end of Euro 2024 this summer and he is keen to return to club football, with sources telling 90min he is open to receiving quick and firm offers, otherwise he'll wait until after the European Championships to decide his next move. Liverpool are but one side monitoring his situation.

But since leaving Bayern in March 2023, Nagelsmann's route back into the club game has proven difficult. News of his sacking by Bayern came as a shock to fans, media and players alike. The Bavarian giants were going strong in their pursuit of a treble and the club's decision to part ways came out of the blue to the wider world.

Chelsea and Tottenham's interest and reason for Bayern sacking

Behind the scenes, 90min understands Bayern had concerns over his maturity. His coaching pedigree was always respected but some at Bayern felt his swagger bordered on arrogance at times, and this was a factor in his departure. Bayern's hierarchy believed Nagelsmann didn't want to change his ways despite an inconsistent 2023, and key also players became frustrated by that.

Those close to Nagelsmann strongly and firmly deny any question marks over his character, but Bayern are not the only club to question this and his methods.

Chelsea spoke to him as part of their search for a permanent successor to Graham Potter when he was sacked a couple of weeks after Nagelsmann left Bayern. However, while the Blues preferred to go through a thorough interview process, sources close to the club claim Nagelsmann wanted his interview to be more of a procession and they ultimately decided he wasn't the right personality or strategic fit.

On Nagelsmann's part, his camp accept he was frustrated by what they felt was Chelsea's drawn-out process, adding he was the one to walk away from talks with Mauricio Pochettino eventually offered the job.

Tottenham Hotspur also briefly considered Nagelsmann as a replacement for Antonio Conte, but nothing advanced and no meeting was taken following due diligence. Spurs instead turned to Arne Slot of Feyenoord before finally settling on Celtic's Ange Postecoglou.

Liverpool job contention and Nagelsmann's other options

If Nagelsmann is to get a Liverpool job interview - and 90min understands he is one of the names discussed internally after scoring high on a data-led shortlisting - he would need to prove he is a fit beyond only the coaching side.

Liverpool began planning for Jurgen Klopp's successor back in November when he privately informed the club of his decision to stand down at the end of the season. Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi are two other names who made quite a 'long' shortlist, with the former scoring particularly well.

Nagelsmann's profile has a lot to like but if talks are to advance, Liverpool would need to be sure he is a cultural fit. As it stands, others are ahead of him in the race to replace Klopp, who Liverpool are calm about replacing and have multiple names in mind. They were never reliant solely on Xabi Alonso, who confirmed he's staying at Leverkusen last week.

In recent weeks, Nagelsmann has also been sensationally linked with a return to Bayern to replace his initial successor, Thomas Tuchel. 90min understands while the club are publicly remaining coy on concrete names to replace Tuchel, it would be very difficult for Bayern to bring Nagelsmann back. They would have to accept they were rash to dismiss him in the first place.

Along with Tuchel and Hansi Flick, Nagelsmann has been touted as one of three German coaches who could take the Barcelona job, but he is considered an outsider.

Nagelsmann could also end up staying on as Germany boss if Euro 2024 goes well. It's perhaps more likely a club option presents itself, and this is his preference, but success this summer could yet change his mind. The German FA are certainly open to discussing something longer-term.

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