Nagelsmann not informed of Bayern sacking before leak, claim coach's representatives

By Sports Desk April 02, 2023

Julian Nagelsmann's representatives have denied claims from Bayern Munich chief executive Oliver Kahn that the coach was informed of his sacking before it was reported by the media.

Nagelsmann was replaced as head coach by Thomas Tuchel during the international break, with the new boss leading Bayern to a 4-2 win over Bundesliga title rivals Borussia Dortmund in his first game in charge on Saturday.

The 35-year-old was said to have learned of his imminent exit while enjoying a skiing holiday in Austria, with Bayern's decision widely reported 24 hours before it was officially announced. 

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic denied anyone at the club leaked the news, an assertion that was repeated by Kahn on Saturday.

Speaking to Sky Germany ahead of the win over Dortmund, Kahn referred to Nagelsmann's departure as a "disaster" but insisted the coach was "the first to know" about his sacking.

However, Nagelsmann's management agency Sports 360 has now disputed those claims, saying Bayern did not make contact with the coach before his exit was reported.

"There has been no contact or attempt to get in contact from Bayern," a representative from Sports 360 told Sky Germany.

"After all the rumours in the media, the management of Julian Nagelsmann contacted Hasan Salihamidzic by themselves."

Bayern cruised into a four-goal lead within 50 minutes as they leapfrogged BVB at the Bundesliga summit on Saturday, posting a ninth successive win in home meetings with their Klassiker rivals.

Related items

  • Bayer Leverkusen 2-3 Leipzig: Visitors fightback halts unbeaten streak for Alonso's side Bayer Leverkusen 2-3 Leipzig: Visitors fightback halts unbeaten streak for Alonso's side

    Bayer Leverkusen suffered their first defeat in 36 Bundesliga matches, as Leipzig came from behind to stun Xabi Alonso's side 3-2 at BayArena.

    Lois Openda struck twice for Marco Rose's, who recovered from 2-0 down to make it two wins from two and move to the summit of the table.

    It looked like business as usual for the reigning Bundesliga champions when they scored twice in the last seven minutes of the first half through Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo.

    However, Leipzig replied deep into first-half stoppage time with Kevin Kampl reducing the deficit.

    Openda then brought the visitors level in the 57th minute, before a stunning long-range strike completed the turnaround 10 minutes from time, condemning Leverkusen to their first league defeat in 15 months. 

    Data Debrief: Leverkusen's long streak comes to a shuddering halt

    Leipzig became the first side to beat Leverkusen in a Bundesliga match since Bochum achieved the feat a staggering 462 days earlier.  

    The visitors have begun a Bundesliga season with two wins from two for only the second time, also doing so in 2019-20.

    They are also now unbeaten in 13 league matches, their longest such streak since Rose took charge.

    As for Leverkusen, their invincible streak is officially history, as is their 29-game unbeaten run on home soil.

  • Werder Bremen 0-0 Borussia Dortmund: Schlotterbeck sent off as BVB are held Werder Bremen 0-0 Borussia Dortmund: Schlotterbeck sent off as BVB are held

    Borussia Dortmund were held to a 0-0 draw at Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

    Defender Nico Schlotterbeck was sent off for Dortmund in the second half and Nuri Sahin’s side ultimately had to settle for a point.

    After an underwhelming start to the match, the visitors were more aggressive following the interval, with substitute Karim Adeyemi making an instant impact with an effort from more than 20 yards out. But Bremen goalkeeper Michael Zetterer was in place to deny the forward.

    Dortmund were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute when centre-back Schlotterbeck received a second yellow card for sliding in on Bremen forward Justin Njinmah.

    BVB still pushed for a winner despite their numerical disadvantage, but a solid Bremen defence withstood late pressure to secure a point at home.

    Data Debrief: Defences on top

    Neither side can claim they were hugely unfortunate not to have scored, with Dortmund’s expected goals (xG) total of 0.61 only coming in marginally ahead of the hosts (0.41).

    BVB did have four shots on target, although all four came from the 58th minute onwards with two of them from substitutes in Adeyemi and Donyell Malen, while Bremen only tested Gregor Kobel – who now has two straight clean sheets – on one occasion.

    It was Marvin Ducksch who had the hosts’ only shot on target in his 100th Bundesliga appearance, the first six of which came as a Dortmund player.

    The result means Bremen end a run of four straight home defeats to Dortmund in Bundesliga play, although they have now gone nine such matches without a victory.

  • Brentford 3-1 Southampton: Bees begin life after Toney with comfortable win Brentford 3-1 Southampton: Bees begin life after Toney with comfortable win

    Brentford began life without Ivan Toney with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Southampton.

    Bryan Mbeumo’s brace and a Yoane Wissa goal proved to be the difference between the two sides and condemned the Saints to their third straight loss since promotion back to the Premier League.

    With departed striker Toney watching in the stands after his move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, the hosts proved too strong for Russell Martin’s men. They created the superior chances and capitalised on an error-strewn performance from Southampton’s backline.

    Mbeumo opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before doubling the lead halfway through the second period and Wissa then got on the scoresheet moments later to continue Brentford’s strong start to the campaign. Yukinari Sugawara bagged a consolation in injury time for the Saints.

    Brentford sit in fifth place ahead of the first international break, while Southampton are second-bottom of the league table with zero points.

    Data debrief: Wissa continues to prove effective at home

    Wissa now has five goals and two assists in his last seven matches at the Gtech Community Stadium.

    Brentford have recorded consecutive home league wins for the first time since last November, and the first time in their opening home games since August 2018.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.