Ex-FCB boss unpacks
“We’re trying to get Julian to Munich”
Updated May 29, 2026 – 3:18 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
As head coach, Julian Nagelsmann coached FC Bayern for almost two years. However, he almost landed in Munich much earlier.
Before his time as head coach of the German national team, Julian Nagelsmann already held one of the most prominent roles in German football as coach of FC Bayern Munich. In July 2021, Nagelsmann moved from RB Leipzig to the German record champions. His term ended in March 2023 with an inglorious and somewhat surprising expulsion in favor of Thomas Tuchel.
However, Nagelsmann almost ended up at FC Bayern in a different role much earlier. As Bayern’s former technical director, Michael Reschke, reveals in the t-online podcast “Nagelsmann – The Youngest One”, the club wanted to recruit Nagelsmann for its youth department as early as 2015. At that time, Nagelsmann was still the coach of the U19 team in Hoffenheim. He was also supposed to fill this role in Munich.
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Nagelsmann still had one year of contract in Hoffenheim at the time, reveals Reschke. But his regional ties to Bavaria attracted him. “As a child from the region, it was a great story for him and he was really keen to move to Munich to become a U19 coach in the whole structure with Pep Guardiola,” says Reschke. Star coach Guardiola trained the Bayern professionals at the time.
After around an hour and a half of consultation in the Munich executive suite, Uli Hoeneß was also enthusiastic about the idea of the change. “It was actually clear to all of us that that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to bring Julian to Munich,” says Reschke.
Hopp canceled the change
Negotiations now began with Hoffenheim financier Dietmar Hopp. Uli Hoeneß has a good relationship with him. “There was a strong personal bond between Hoeneß and Hopp and also a respectful bond. Uli then said: ‘I will call Dietmar and if he gives the green light, he only has one year left on his contract, then we will certainly find a solution,'” Reschke remembers.
