Former Bayern Munich assistant coach Herman Gerland talks Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, and what might be next

Former Bayern Munich assistant coach Hermann Gerland was a guest on Sport1 journalist Florian Plettenberg’s “Meine Bayern-Woche” podcast and talked through what makes Hansi Flick such a great manager, the hiring of Julian Nagelsmann, and gave an update on where his free agent status stands.

First and foremost, will the 66-year-old be coaching once again in the 2021/2022 season?

“I will return to the football business. But I will no longer be an assistant coach or a coach,” said Gerland (as captured by Twitter account @iMiaSanMia). “Will I do something at the DFB? Who knows. I haven’t had any talks with anyone yet.”

Photo by Stefan Matzke - sampics/Corbis via Getty Images

It sounds as if Gerland might headed for an advisory or even scouting role somewhere — maybe even with the DFB, where he could work closely with Flick once again.

As for his relationship with the sextuple-winning manager, it sounds as if Gerland hold the 56-year-old in the highest regard possible.

“It was a culmination for me to have experienced Hansi Flick as a coach at Bayern. I’ve worked with some of the greatest coaches in the world, and Hansi had extraordinary success - seven titles in 18 months, it’s actually not possible to do more,” said Gerland. “He has incredible skills. His way of dealing with the players and his staff is exceptional. I can understand very well why Oliver Bierhoff wanted him to be the national team coach.”

Finally, Gerland touched on the rumors that Nagelsmann turned down the opportunity to have the veteran assistant on his staff.

“He asked me five years ago if I would like to be his assistant coach in Hoffenheim,” Gerland said recalling a previous interaction with Nagelsmann. “I rejected the offer because I was at Bayern; the best club with the best coaches. Why would I have left? For me, Julian Nagelsmann is a top class coach.”