Hasan Salihamidzic convinced Alexander Nübel to reject other clubs for Bayern Munich

It was reported earlier today by Bild that FC Schalke’s Alexander Nübel will leave to join Bayern Munich on a free transfer at the end of this season. The 23-year-old has been on Bayern’s radar for the better part of the past twelve months as Manuel Neuer’s successor at the club. That plan has now come to fruition.

According to kicker, Nübel’s decision to choose Bayern over other clubs courting him was due in large part to sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. Kicker states that Salihamidzic presented a convincing plan to Nübel:

As kicker learned, Bayern’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic presented Nübel’s party with a very clear strategy as to how the transition in the goal of the Rekordmeister can proceed. And although Neuer is about to sign a contract extension until 2023, the 23-year-old goalkeeper was so convinced that he rejected other prominent interested [clubs].

Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and AC Milan had all expressed interest in acquiring Nübel’s services, but he instead decided to move into where he will eventually become Neuer’s replacement — all according to the plan outlined to him by Bayern’s often belittled sporting director.

Brazzo more important than people realize?

Opinions are mixed on Salihamidzic. Fans and pundits alike have singled him out for Bayern’s supposed lack of “world class” signings in the past two years. But Salihamidzic has slowly but surely proved his mettle, media blunders notwithstanding.

Brazzo was the chief architect of persuading Alphonso Davies to join Bayern from the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS. Davies has since proven to be one of the club’s best signings in the past few seasons. Like Nübel, other top clubs were also interested in Davies, but it was the plan for his development presented to him by Brazzo that convinced him to join.

On the surface, when certain transfers fail to materialize, it’s easy to point the finger at Brazzo, but he is steadily showing why Bayern Munich’s supervisory board deemed him worthy to join the executive board with signings like Davies and Nübel.

Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images