Herbert Hainer knew Bayern Munich needed a world class coach when Hansi Flick announced he was leaving

Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer sat down for an interview with Abendzeitung and talked over the upcoming transition that will take place when Hansi Flick departs the club and Julian Nagelsmann takes over.

“We had a very successful time with Hansi Flick as head coach and we’re very grateful to him,” Hainer said. “Julian Nagelsmann is Bavarian and has repeatedly said that Bayern is dear to his heart. I’m happy that it has happened so quickly.”

Hainer knew that replacing Flick would not be easy, but emphasized that the club needed to ensure it secured a top-flight manager to keep things operating at a world class level.

“FC Bayern is one of the best teams in Europe and needs a top coach. We’ve achieved that with the signing of Julian Nagelsmann,” said Hainer.

That quality came with a price, however, and the fees for Nagelsmann (rumored to be as much as €25 million once bonuses kick in) were just the price of doing business for such a hot coaching commodity. Hainer, though, said the reports of what Bayern Munich might ultimately pay could be exaggerated.

“We had to reach an agreement with RB Leipzig because Julian Nagelsmann still had a contract there,” Hainer said. “And don’t believe all the numbers that were rumored.”