Why Julian Nagelsmann would be the right candidate to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City
According to Daily Mail (h/t The Sun), Julian Nagelsmann is one of the names being considered by Manchester City in case Pep Guardiola leaves. There has been speculation over the Catalan’s future as he is in the last year of his contract.
He has said that he wants to prove himself to earn a new deal. The club, however, remain keen to extend his contract regardless. The other name being considered is Mauricio Pochettino.
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Julian Nagelsmann spent most of his youth career at FC Augsburg and 1860 Munich, and was subsequently a part of their reserve teams. A host of injury issues made him cut his playing career short and step into coaching.
His first managerial stint with a senior side came with 1899 Hoffenheim. He single-handedly rescued the club from relegation in 2017 when he became the manager midway through the season. The next season, he surpassed all expectations to lead the club to a 4th-place finish in the Bundesliga, thereby qualifying for the Champions League.
The third season wasn’t as great as the season prior with a ninth-place finish and a disappointing Champions League campaign. The club announced that Nagelsmann would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
RB Leipzig appointed the young manager at the start of last season. He guided the team to a third-place finish in the Bundesliga but what was more impressive was that he took Leipzig to a semi-final appearance in the Champions League.
Will he be a worthy successor to Guardiola?
Yes, it is true that it would be hard to find someone even remotely close to the success levels and tactical nous of Guardiola. However, what Nagelsmann has done at such a young age makes you wonder what he can do if resources and a world-class squad is made available to him.
Nagelsmann has experienced so much success so far and that too at an age where footballers still ply their trade on the field. He made Hoffenheim and Leipzig some of the most exciting teams to watch. He has always been an advocate of attacking football, something that will appeal to City fans.
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The young manager looks like a good fit for Man City with a good understanding of the game and tactical know-how. In the event that Guardiola does leave City, Nagelsmann should be a top option for the club hierarchy to replace him.
