Clash between Nagelsmann and bosses over Bayern transfer strategy
Bayern Munich are on course to win a 10th consecutive Bundesliga title, but there seems to be a conflict between club bosses and head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
The Champions League exit against Villarreal and the probability of it being another season with just one major trophy has created some doubts over where the club is headed in the future.
Bayern Munich have worked with a settled core for the last few years, but Nagelsmann feel it’s time to take some risks if they are to challenge the best.
What's the clash between Nagelsmann and his bosses?
Speaking after Bayern’s win against Arminia Bielefeld, which put Bayern a win away from the title, Nagelsmann said: “At some point you have to take a bit of a risk in the hope that more will come out at the end. At this point we are just thinking about it carefully, calculating and calculating it.”
However, those thoughts aren’t shared by those above him, with Sporting Director Hasan Salihamdzic saying Bayern won’t take a stance that’s not ‘FC Bayern-like’: “It will not be the case that we will take any major risks.”
There are a few players with contract issues facing them in the future, most notably, Robert Lewandowski, who could leave the club as soon as this summer if terms aren’t agreed.
Bayern remain optimistic that their top scorer will agree a new deal, but rumours of his departure always linger, with Barcelona believed to be an interested party.
There is also a belief that Bayern need to be more proactive in the transfer market.
Nagelsmann on Lewandowski’s future: “I never got the impression that he wants to leave”. 🔴 #FCBayern @iMiaSanMia
“In our conversations, he always seems to me as if he would like to stay. I would of course like to have him in my team and hopefully the near future will tell”. pic.twitter.com/CGjFGlDlfa— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 15, 2022
Last summer saw the signings of Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Sabitzer, neither of whom have made too big of an impact, and Bayern will need more names to aid their ageing core, however, there is seemingly a reluctance to spend big.
The club are in talks to extend the contracts of Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer until 2025, but will need more to support them in the long-run.