Bundesliga
Julian Nagelsmann talks Bayern, Lewandowski, Müller and more
Julian Nagelsmann says he is relishing the chance to work with the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller at record champions Bayern Munich.
Nagelsmann has been brought in from RB Leipzig to replace Hansi Flick - who will succeed Joachim Löw as Germany coach - and inherits arguably the most talented squad in the club's decorated history.
"I'm very much looking forward to working at Bayern," the 33-year-old told German daily, Bild.
"It'll be interesting to work with the world's best footballer [Lewandowski], but also with Müller, [Manuel] Neuer, Jo Kimmich and many others. I think it's extremely exciting to get to know a new team. I'm especially looking forward to seeing the enormous quality of these players every day in training. I heard many good things about the character of the players. I'm delighted."
Bayern's current crop claimed a ninth successive Bundesliga title with two games to spare in 2020/21. Nagelsmann's Leipzig finished 13 points adrift in second place, and lost the DFB Cup final to third-in-the-table Borussia Dortmund. Despite being talked about in the same breath as prodigious ex-Bundesliga coaches Jürgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel, Bayern's new man heads to Munich still searching for his first major trophy.
"For me it's an honour to be mentioned with those world-class contemporaries, but I haven't won titles yet and am joining my first very big club. First I have to prove that I deserve to be there," Nagelsmann admitted, having spent three years at Hoffenheim followed by two in Leipzig.
"My plans weren't to leave Leipzig after two years. That had to do with Hansi Flick deciding to leave Bayern. The Pokal final defeat was sad for me. I wanted to win at least a trophy in Leipzig, but now it's about continuing Bayern's success over the past decade. The expectations at Bayern are you should win the league, win the Pokal and go far in the Champions League. I'm going to face this challenge head-on."
Watch: Julian Nagelsmann reflects on his two-year spell at RB Leipzig
Nagelsmann is Bayern's 32nd head coach since the Bundesliga was founded in 1963. He represents the 15th German to take charge and, as well as being the youngest of the lot, is also the first to hail from Bavaria. Not that he's expecting the red-carpet treatment.
"I know that FC Bayern are aware I'm from the region," Nagelsmann explained. "But I'm not going to enjoy any bonuses due to my origin. Even as a native Bavarian, I have to be successful in Munich in order to stay.
"I'm aware that I have an absolute dream job, and I'm thankful for this privilege every day. I'll put all my energy into the job."