By Samuel A. March 24, 2023
In one of the most surprising managerial changes in recent times, Julian Nagelsmann was fired as manager of Bayern Munich on Wednesday night. The 35-year-old German, who led Bayern to the Bundesliga title in his first campaign in charge last season, was relieved of his duties as head coach of Bayern Munich after losing to Bayer Leverkusen and going into the international break one point off current league leaders, Borussia Dortmund. They are also in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, after seven clean sheets in eight European matches, silencing top teams like PSG, Inter Milan and Barcelona, en route to the last eight where they will face Manchester City. Despite the fact that Julien had just three league defeats all season and an impressive average of 2.19 points per match during his 19 months as head coach, the fourth best tally for a Bayern manager in Bundesliga history, the club’s board was dissatisfied with Nagelsmann.
Top board members have been concerned by the lack of progress the team’s star players have shown lately, as the highest paid players such as Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane have struggled in recent games. After his first campaign at the club, which ended with Bayern winning their 32nd German championship but suffering a quarter-final shock exit from the Champions League, Nagelsmann grew more confident and began to change the club’s tactical system last summer. Deviating from the wing play, which had been prevalent for Bayern over the past years, Nagelsmann deployed a new tactic which allowed his team to play more centrally focused. It took time for Bayern to adjust to the changes, while on top of that, they did not sign a replacement for prolific striker Robert Lewandowski who went to Barcelona before the season started, yet, he led them to 10 straight wins in a row before the World Cup break.
In hindsight, the great form in November from the German Club might have come at the worst time possible for Nagelsmann. Following the restart of the Bundesliga season, Bayern have shown signs of vulnerability, dropping 12 points in 10 games, thus keeping the title race in the Bundesliga alive and open. Julian was replaced by Thomas Tuchel with immediate effect, but I think Mr. Nagelsmann will not be unemployed for very long.
