After the DFB announced the extension with Julian Nagelsmann, Spanish media reported that Bayern had almost reached an agreement with Zinédine Zidane.
Munich – It became clear once again on Friday that professional football is a fast-moving business. After the German Football Association announced around 10:55 a.m. that Julian Nagelsmann had extended his contract as national coach and thus indirectly rejected FC Bayern, the Spanish newspaper
Mundo Deportivo
headlined just an hour later: “Zidane just one step away from Bayern “. Accordingly, “an agreement has practically been concluded”, even if the contract between Zinédine Zidane and the Munich team has not yet been signed. It's just a matter of little things, so the Frenchman asked the sports management for reinforcements for the defense.
Is Zidane the answer to the coaching question at FC Bayern?
It would be quite surprising that Zidane as Thomas Tuchel's successor is happening so quickly and so concretely - especially since sports director Max Eberl and sports director Christoph Freund were discussing a possible return to Bayern with Nagelsmann until a few days ago and did not necessarily expect the cancellation should have. Therefore, in times when the Bavarian coaching carousel is turning quite wildly, you shouldn't take everything at face value. At the same time, you shouldn't categorically rule out a name with charisma, as is undoubtedly the case with Zidane.
Already on Friday,
Marca
, Real Madrid's home and yard newspaper, reported that the Munich team had contacted the agent of the former successful coach of the Royals in the past few days. Bayern have expressed their interest in signing Zidane. However, the language barrier is currently speaking against the former exceptional footballer's involvement in Munich. The 51-year-old doesn't speak a word of German and his knowledge of English is also manageable. He wouldn't get very far on Säbener Strasse with just French and Spanish.
Uli Hoeneß regrets that Nagelsmann decided against returning to FC Bayern. “I think it’s a shame, but the world won’t end at FC Bayern because of it,” the honorary president told BR24 Sport on Friday. “It was always the case that he was one of several candidates and both sides had the opportunity to say yes or no. Now he has decided for the German national team. This is a decision that must be respected.”
Rejection after rejection: Not an easy search for a coach for FC Bayern
The record champions' search for a coach is more complicated than originally thought. After Xabi Alonso will fulfill his contract in Leverkusen beyond the season, Sebastian Hoeneß recently extended his contract with VfB Stuttgart and Nagelsmann prefers to continue as national coach, Eberl and Freund have already had to cross the top candidates off their list. Roberto De Zerbi will also probably stay at Brighton & Hove Albion. The names of Unai Emery from Premier League club Aston Villa and Austria's national coach Ralf Rangnick, however, are still very popular.
Given the tricky situation, even coach Tuchel was asked on Friday whether he would perhaps continue in Munich. “So much subjunctive. I have an agreement with the club, it has been communicated and it stands,” the coach replied, shaking his head. From the club's perspective, it would be a charming interim solution to continue with Tuchel for a year and still fulfill his contract by the summer of 2025. Then Jürgen Klopp should also feel enough energy for a new challenge. The Liverpool FC team manager will take a break after the season. “He will be back on the bench somewhere in a year at the latest,” predicted Bayern supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge at the beginning of March. In Munich?
Rummenigge believes in Klopp's comeback in 2025
From the club's perspective, it would be a charming interim solution to continue with Tuchel for a year and still fulfill his contract by the summer of 2025. Then Jürgen Klopp should also feel enough energy for a new challenge. The Liverpool FC team manager will take a break after the season - and a timely commitment as national coach also seems unrealistic given Nagelsmann's extension until 2026. “He will be back on the bench somewhere in a year at the latest,” predicted Bayern supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge at the beginning of March. Then maybe in Munich?
Manuel Bonke, Philipp Kessler