Report: Hasan Salihamidžić to push for Julian Nagelsmann if Hansi Flick parts ways with Bayern Munich

Strange as it may appear, the glad tidings from Joachim Low’s latest announcement has brought with it some unsettling news for people of Bavaria.

With Jurgen Klopp and Julian Naglesmann ruling themselves out as candidates to succeed Low, Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick has emerged as DFB’s numero uno target for the post of Germany national team coach. Germany’s prestigious coaching role allegedly appeals to Flick, who still maintains contact with the DFB officials from his time with the national team.

In a report published by Bild+ (behind paywall), sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić already has a successor in his mind should Flick decide to step down as Die Roten coach to manage Die Mannschaft.

According to Bild, Brazzo happens to be a huge admirer of German coaching prodigy Julian Naglesmann. The 33-year-old is currently managing second-placed RB Leipzig, but he hasn’t shied away from expressing his desire to coach the sextuple winners in the past. One of Bild’s primary point of argument (as captured by Tz) is the difference in Brazzo’s compatibility with the two managers:

It’s clear that Flick and Hasan Salihamidzic, the club’s sports director, have differences over squad planning and the club’s direction. The FCB sports director, on the other hand, is said to be a big fan of Julian Nagelsmann. The two are said to be on the same wavelength - unlike Flick and Salihamidzic.

It has become common knowledge that Flick and Brazzo don’t see eye-to-eye when it comes to player transfers, with the upcoming CEO Oliver Kahn even labelling this ‘culture of debate’ as an ‘important success factor’ for the club. It, however, remains to be seen how Bild estimated that Brazzo and Nagelsmann will be on the same page with regard to personnel decisions.

Photo by M. Donato/Getty Images for FC Bayern

Timing is another factor that happens to be in play here. Naglesmann is on a contract with Leipzig that runs until 2023, with no release-clause attached to it. Furthermore, Brazzo will not be the only one to have a say in this matter. Chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge is still at the helm until the end of the year and he is said to be Flick’s biggest confidante at the club. Kalle considers it absolutely essential that Flick, one of — if not the — most successful coach in FC Bayern history, stays at the club for the forthcoming years. He is allegedly insisting that the 55-year-old fulfills his contract (as another source fcbinside captures).

The report also revealed a pleasant detail that the DFB is reluctant to approach any coach who is contractually bound to a club. Therefore, the association will refrain from making any move for Flick without Bayern’s consent. In the end, it all rests on Flick’s decision.

In that case, the ball is in Flick’s court. If he wants the job as national coach, he would have to approach Rummenigge. And then Brazzo can also bring Nagelsmann into the conversation.

Convincing Flick to stay with us beyond this season — that’s the only parting gift I ask for from Kalle.