RB Leipzig coach Julian Naglesmann responds to Bayern Munich’s interest in Dayot Upamecano

RB Leipzig aren’t feeling the heat with Bayern Munich publicly expressing their interest in Dayot Upamecano, at least according to head coach Julian Naglesmann. Earlier, Die Roten CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had admitted that the club is monitoring the situation of the France international.

Naturally, Naglesmann was asked whether the public statements have instilled a feeling of unrest at the Red Bull organisation.

“If they wanted to make me or the club restless, it didn’t work,” the Die Roten Bullen coach replied grinningly. “But I don’t think that was the main intention. I think it’s more that they want to get their foot in the door, that other clubs get restless.”

While Naglesmann didn’t find the statement “so dramatic,” he did indicate that the Bavarian brass wouldn’t have found it pleasing, had Leipzig made a similar public statement about their player.

“I think if it were the other way around, they wouldn’t like it so much. In principle, it is clever if you want to cause unrest. But with us, no one is getting restless now,” says the former Hoffenheim coach.

Considered as one of the best center-backs in the Bundesliga, Upamecano has been heavily linked with a move away from Leipzig. Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are all said to have expressed their interest in the Frenchman.

Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images

Nagelsmann, who himself has been tipped to replace coach Frank Lampard at Chelsea, admitted that Leipzig are aware of the suitors his chief-in-defense has been gaining.

“We know what the contractual situation is with Upa, and we know that we like having him with us. But we also know how the mechanisms are in football,” said the Leipzig trainer.

As for Upamecano, Naglesmann remains contented with the 22-year old’s personality.

“He is a very fine person who absorbs things and wants to improve and has his heart in the right place,” remarked the 2016 Coach of the Year.