JIn the debate about the Bayern stars traveling to Ibiza after winning the German championship, Ulian Nagelsmann referred to his pros’ sense of responsibility. “Our players are all old and responsible and are very welcome to decide what they do on their days off,” said the Munich coach on Friday. “If they decide to fly in a very large group, then let them do it. They’re old enough, I’m not their dad or their tutor.”
Nagelsmann pointed out that he was responsible for sporting matters. That’s why he had planned two days off after the game in Mainz last week. “The players can use the days off as they wish,” emphasized the football coach.
After the 1: 3 at FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday, a large part of the team, which had already been determined as champions, flew to the Balearic Islands. “Last week the players informed us that they would like to spend the two days off training with the group in Ibiza. We accepted this as a team-building measure,” explained sports director Hasan Salihamidzic on Sunday.
There had been sharp public criticism of the trip so soon after a defeat. “I don’t expect any reaction to the trip to Ibiza,” said Nagelsmann before the last Munich home game of the Bundesliga season on Sunday (5.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on DAZN) against VfB Stuttgart. But he hopes that his team will play a “good game”.
Good conversation with Lewandowski
Nagelsmann also reported a positive exchange between the management of FC Bayern and the adviser to world footballer Robert Lewandowski. “I asked if it was a good conversation. That was it,” said the coach. “But there is nothing to report, in any direction. My status hasn’t changed, that we definitely want to keep it and definitely want to extend it.”
Lewandowski’s (33) contract expires after June 30, 2023. Sports director Salihamidzic recently categorically ruled out leaving Lewandowski this summer after eight years. There has been repeated speculation about a move to FC Barcelona. Most recently, Lewandowski’s advisor Pini Zahavi met with the top management of FC Bayern. Zahavi is “someone who likes to negotiate, negotiates tough,” said Nagelsmann, who is happy about Thomas Müller’s (32) contract extension.
This week, Müller had extended his contract by another season until the summer of 2024. “It’s always important when top performers and iconic figures from Bayern Munich extend their contracts. This can certainly draw other people along. I still believe that the others make their own decisions and don’t just attach it to Thomas,” said the 34-year-old Nagelsmann.
Captain Manuel Neuer (36) is also looking to extend his contract. The situation with Serge Gnabry (26) seems more open. Both contracts expire next summer. “We’ll see what time brings. I’ve often said: With players in the Bayern Munich category, extensions are not always that easy and it takes several rounds and several discussions,” said the coach, referring to the Gnabry personality. “I would very much like to keep him. I think that’s clear. I appreciate him as a player and as a person, but it’s not always in the coach’s hands.”
National player Niklas Süle will probably not be in the starting line-up in FC Bayern’s last home game of the season, followed by the handing over of the championship trophy on Sunday. “I’m assuming now that he won’t start,” said Nagelsmann on Friday about the defender, who is moving to Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
Süle was allowed to start in the 3-1 draw against FSV Mainz 05 a week ago and thus got his “treat” as a departure. Nagelsmann emphasized that the 26-year-old was “very, very valuable”. “Maybe he’ll get more minutes,” said the coach two days before the home game against VfB Stuttgart. Süle leaves Bayern after five years on a free transfer.
World champion Corentin Tolisso, who has been repeatedly thrown back by injuries, has recently not been able to recommend himself for a new contract. The French midfielder, who once came for a record fee of €41.5m, was recently absent with a thigh hamstring tear.
“I appreciate Coco incredibly, he has an incredible winning mentality,” Nagelsmann praised the 27-year-old, whose contract is expiring. Tolisso’s susceptibility to injury was “already a small problem”. One will “see what the future will bring.”
Before the Stuttgart game, Nagelsmann was happy about a full training squad, which is why he expects “tough squad decisions”. Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies were just as stricken after a gastrointestinal illness as Jamal Musiala after a cold.
