Julian Nagelsmann ‘was Chelsea’s No 1 choice’ ahead of Mauricio Pochettino
Julian Nagelsmann ‘was Chelsea’s number 1 choice’ for Mauricio Pochettino – but he was right to reject a ‘club in troubled waters, spending a few hundred million euros’, his agent claims
- Nagelsmann was Chelsea’s number 1 choice, but turned down the managerial job
- His agent said Nagelsmann was right to dismiss a “club in troubled waters.”
- He also said that Chelsea are “spending a few hundred million euros” to solve their problems
Julian Nagelsmann’s agent Volker Struth says the former Bayern Munich boss was Chelsea’s number 1 choice to take over, putting him ahead of Mauricio Pochettino.
However, Nagelsmann pulled out of the race in April after becoming frustrated with the process – leaving the door open for Pochettino’s return to the Premier League.
Pochettino is reported to have agreed with Chelsea to become their next manager and will fly to London in the coming days to sign a three-year contract.
Speaking on Bild’s podcast Phrasenmaher, Struth said Nagelsmann was right to dismiss a “club in troubled waters.”
He said the club is “spending a few hundred million euros” to solve their problems and hinted there would be “expectations” he would have to meet as a result.
Julian Nagelsmann’s agent says the former Bayern Munich boss was Chelsea’s number 1 choice
Nagelsmann pulled out of the race in April after becoming frustrated with the process – leaving the door open for Pochettino’s (left) return to the Premier League
Struth said Nagelsmann was right to dismiss a “club that is in troubled waters.”
The 57-year-old agent said: “I can confirm that Chelsea called quickly [after Nagelsmann’s dismissal at Bayern Munich]. There were some phone calls.
‘It was the right decision [by Nagelsmann] not to go there. It is currently a club in troubled waters.
And their transfer policy, spending a few hundred million euros, has raised expectations that need to be fulfilled. There were also some other issues.
“He was their number one [choice], that was our information. I believe it would have happened if he wanted it to.’
However, according to The Athletic, Chelsea have refuted such claims – acknowledging their interest in Nagelsmann but denying that he was their first choice.
Their position comes shortly after it was announced that Pochettino had agreed to become Chelsea’s next manager.
Pochettino joins from Spain to finalize the deal, which sees him appointed as Chelsea’s new head coach.
The Argentine will sign a reported three-year contract to replace current interim boss Frank Lampard.
Pochettino is currently in Spain but will fly to London in the coming days to complete formalities for his new job.
The 51-year-old negotiated his contract himself and is awaiting the green light from his lawyer before signing the papers.
Meanwhile, Nagelsmann has been out since March, when he was sacked by the Bayern Munich boss and replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
More to follow…