TSG Hoffenheim head coach Julian Nagelsmann reportedly turned down the opportunity to join Real Madrid, who are still looking for a Zinedine Zidane replacement
According to reports from German publication SportBILD, Julian Nagelsmann has rejected the offer to join Real Madrid as they continue their search for a Zinedine Zidane replacement. The Spanish giants spoke with Nagelsmann’s agent, who has rejected their advances.
Highly regarded as one of the most promising young managers in world football, the German tactician has already been linked with a host of top clubs around Europe, thanks to his incredible spell with Hoffenheim so far. Since being appointed as the head coach for the Bundesliga outfit in 2016, the 30-year-old has guided them to two consecutive Champions League qualification, which is a no mean feat at all!
Julian Nagelsmann deserves huge credit for transforming the Hoffenheim team, who were on the brink of collapse during the first half of the 2015-16 season, into a Bundesliga powerhouse.
Indeed, the 30-year-old has turned a baffled squadron into a collective unit, one which is capable of emerging as a huge threat to the likes of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in nigh future. Real Madrid, on the other hand, are still distressed following the departure of Zinedine Zidane.
After guiding Los Blancos to nine trophies in three years, including three successive Champions League titles, the Frenchman has surprisingly walked away from the Bernabeu.
His departure left Real Madrid on the hunt for an able successor, who can not only fill in the rather huge shoes of Zinedine Zidane but also improve the team’s performance from here on in.
Bild exclusively reveal that Real Madrid showed concrete interest in Julian Nagelsmann and contacted him to replace Zinédine Zidane but Nagelsmann rejected the offer and decided to stay at Hoffenheim next season. pic.twitter.com/FgTygE0Gl5
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) June 3, 2018
Even though the European champions have already been linked with some of the most proven and successful managers in Europe in Mauricio Pochettino, Massimiliano Allegri and Jurgen Klopp, the appointment of Julian Nagelsmann could have been something special from Los Blancos.
The Hoffenheim manager has shown huge potential in recent years and is destined to take on the responsibility of managing one of Europe’s biggest clubs in the coming years.
That being said, Julian Nagelsmann turning down the offer to join Real Madrid might prove to be a blessing in disguise for the record time European champions. Despite being blessed with a huge amount of potential as well as tactical understanding, the match between Nagelsmann and Real Madrid is more of a square peg in a round hole.
For anyone who takes on the responsibility of managing a club like Real Madrid, often times it depends on his ability to maintain a good morale among a team chock-full of international superstars, more than anything else.
And as for Nagelsmann, his young age would have been a cause for concern, especially when it comes to managing the huge personalities that Real Madrid have in long supply. In addition, the jump from Hoffenheim to Real Madrid would have been a highly inconvenient transition, considering his lack of experience at the top level.
Therefore, the Spanish giants should definitely shift their focus toward other alternatives available in the market. Massimiliano Allegri, who has guided Juventus to four consecutive Serie A titles, looks like a viable replacement for Zinedine Zidane while former PSG boss Laurent Blanc is also an option for Florentino Perez’s side.
