Nagelsmann to Chelsea: Why Bayern are desperate for a deal

Stuart Telford

• 8 Apr 2023 07:16 CDT
• 3 min read

Julian Nagelsmann is a free agent after being sacked by Bayern Munich, but the Germans hope he goes to Chelsea - and not only to extract a transfer fee they're still due…

Nagelsmann was perhaps the biggest surprise sacking of the season so far.

The Bundesliga's youngest ever manager had overseen wins against Inter Milan, Barcelona and PSG on the way to the Champions League quarter-finals, and was only a victory over Borussia Dortmund away from reclaiming top spot domestically.

READ: Julian Nagelsmann responds to Chelsea links

Chelsea subsequently got rid of Graham Potter, who had replaced Thomas Tuchel, who then replaced Nagelsmann… and now Nagelsmann could be set to succeed Potter at Stamford Bridge to complete that particular managerial merry-go-round.

Frank Lampard is, of course, in caretaker charge at Chelsea, but it is understood that Nagelsmann wants to wait until the end of the season to make a decision, with Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid also interested in his services.

Bayern have more than one reason to hope Chelsea strike a deal with Nagelsmann at that point.

READ: Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea sack reasons revealed in an email

The Anthony Barry factor

"I heard from [Bayern] that if Chelsea or Tottenham want Nagelsmann, they have to pay a transfer fee for him," Christian Falk, Bild's Head of Football, wrote in his Caught Offside column.

"Bayern are more than aware that Chelsea are used to forking out big transfer fees for managers. Graham Potter's €17m fee is second on the list of the most expensive managers behind Julian Nagelsmann."

But perhaps more important is the fact that Tuchel wants to be reunited with his former assistant manager Anthony Barry, who remains at Chelsea under Lampard for the time being.

"Another topic in these talks will be Anthony Barry," Falk continued. "Bayern made a six-figure bid for the assistant coach, who wants to join Thomas Tuchel at Bayern.

"Graham Potter personally gave him his go for the job in Munich, but he's since been fired. Chelsea said no to Bayern's first offer. Bayern won’t forget this if there will be further negotiations because of Nagelsmann."