Erik ten Hag was Bayern Munich’s fallback option if Julian Nagelsmann pursuit failed

Upon learning of Hansi Flick’s desire to leave the club, Bayern Munich was able to secure the signature of RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann on a contract very quickly.

The whole undertaking of working out a transfer fee arrangement with Die Roten Bullen was also a relatively smooth process, which took place in a matter of hours and days, rather than weeks.

Even as the acquisition of Nagelsmann was progressing at a rapid pace, Bayern Munich was making contingency plans, though. Voetbal International issued a report stating that the Bavarians had Ajax manager Erik ten Hag cued up as a fallback option should things with Nagelsmann fall apart:

If Bayern Munich had not come out with Julian Nagelsmann, Ten Hag would have would have been one of the candidates. The superpower had already thrown a line to both Ajax and the trainer.

The threat of a inquiry from Bayern Munich — along with whispers that Tottenham Hotspur might also be interested in the coach — prompted Ajax to take action and give Ten Hag a contract extension through the 2022/2023 season:

Ten Hag, of course, coached Bayern Munich II from 2013 through 2015, so his style and persona are quite familiar with the club’s brass.