TOTTENHAM manager target Julian Nagelsmann has ALWAYS known responsibilty.The maverick German coach, 33, is the youngest Bundesliga boss in history – having been handed the reigns at Hoffenheim at the age of just 28 back in 2016.
Maverick German coach Julian Nagelsmann is the favourite for the vacant Tottenham jobCredit: Alamy
But eight years prior, the tactician was dealt a secret heartbreak that has shaped his management career.
His father, Erwin passed away unexpectedly when he was just 20.
Understanding the need for a male figure to lead the family, Nagelsmann took on the job of helping his mother, Burgi.
‘Baby Mourinho’, as he is nicknamed by the German press, helped his mother sell their family home and find a new place to live.
It was a life experience that has contributed to his success in commanding the dressing room, even when he’s surrounded by players older than him.
‘DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO BE YOUNG’
Nagelsmann grew up in Landsberg am Lech, a town in southwest Bavaria – and some 45 miles from Munich.
He played for Augsburg and 1860 Munich at youth level, captaining the latter’s U17’s and living away from home.
“Overall, I certainly had to grow up faster than many others,” he told German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine.
Nagelsmann lost his father when he was 20 and had to become the male lead in his houseCredit: Alamy
Responsibility is all Nagelsmann has ever known from a young age, having to sell the family home and find another when his dad diedCredit: Alamy
“I didn’t have that much time to be young and carefree. I moved out of home early because of football, from then on I had to take care of myself: cooking, shopping, things, everything that you normally do at nineteen or twenty, I had to do at fifteen.”
The death of his beloved dad, who died aged just 52 after a short illness, then rocked his family.
Nagelsmann took on the father-figure for his mum and his elder siblings, Vanessa and Andre.
“Then there was the death of my father, after which I supported my family and did tasks that were rather untypical for my age: selling the house, looking for a new house for my mother,” he continued.
“All of this leads to the focus on the essentials, to the realisation that there are more important things in life than football.
“These experiences were very hard for me and my family, but they made me mature and be more aware of life.”
WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS
At the same age he lost his father, Nagelsmann playing career was cut short by injury.
After missing most of the 2006-07 season with injury, he returned to Augsburg only to injure his knee and meniscus for a second time, damaging the cartilage.
Once a youth player at Augsburg, Nagelsmann’s career was cut short by injury the same year he lost his fatherCredit: Alamy
Nagelsmann was forced to go back to the drawing board and rethink his careerCredit: Twitter / @J__Nagelsmann
The young prospect was forced to retire, a decision which left him heartbroken.
Nagelsmann spent a month in solitude and had to construct his next plan.
“It was very sad for me that I had to end my career so young,” he revealed.
“At first, I didn’t want anything to do with football.”
He threw himself into his studies – first trying a business degree and then changing to sports science.
INSPIRED BY TUCHEL
But it was Thomas Tuchel who encouraged Nagelsmann to continue in football.
He too knew what it was like to have to retire from football before a playing career could take off, suffering the same disappointment at third tier SSV Ulm.
So Tuchel offered Nagelsmann a route in – and he began doing opposition scouting analysis for Augsburg II, who the Blues coach began his journey with.
Thomas Tuchel and Nagelsmann are close friendsCredit: Alamy
It was Tuchel who understood Nagelsmann’s misery after having to retire from a playing career and he pointed him towards a life in coachingCredit: AFP
Nagelsmann had already accepted a job at BMW doing sales, but able to make money he stuck with football on the advice of his mentor and gave it one last shot.
It could be said that without Tuchel’s nudge, he might not even be in the dugout today.
FIRST STEPS
Nagelsmann scored his first job with 1860 Munich, returning to the club he was once a youth product of, to be an assistant coach alongside Alexander Schmidt for their U17’s.
He began learning the game, while still studying for a sports science degree. Importantly, it reignited his passion for football.
In 2010, he scored the job that would change his life – joining 1899 Hoffenheim’s academy.
He controlled various youth teams, and became an assistant coach for the first, while leading the U19’s.
In 2014, Nagelsmann’s side won the Bundesliga U19 title. Already he was establishing himself behind-the-scenes.
Nagelsmann scored a job with Hoffenheim’s academyCredit: Alamy
Soon, Nagelsmann was implementing his ideas onto the training pitch for the first teamCredit: Alamy
THE TOP JOB
In 2016, believing they had a star coach already in their ranks, forward-thinking Hoffenheim appointed Nagelsmann as head coach, following the departure of Huub Stevens, who resigned due to health reasons.
He was just 28, and the youngest ever head coach the Bundesliga has ever seen. It was an inspired call.
When he took over, the club were languishing in 17th spot in the Bundesliga and looked odds-on to be relegated.
But Nagelsmann inspired his charges to seven wins in their last 14 games – finishing a point above the relegation playoff spot.
The following season, the club’s good run continued and they managed a top four finish, meaning they qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
It earned Nagelsmann the nickname ‘Baby Mourinho’ – not because of a pragmatic style of play, his teams like to play on the front foot. More because at a young age he wanted to learn so much about the game.
Nagelsmann is the youngest coach ever in Bundesliga history – hired at the age of 28 by Hoffenheim in 2016Credit: Alamy
Hoffenheim qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history under Nagelsmann and he was christened ‘Baby Mourinho’ in the German pressCredit: Alamy
IT’S GIVING HIM WINGS
Since 2019, Nagelsmann has been managing Germany’s most hated club – RB Leipzig.
In his first season, after looking like they were ready to challenge Bayern Munich, they fell away and finished in third spot.
The distractions of the Champions League may have had something to do with that – and a 3-0 loss to PSG, ,where the student Nagelsmann met the teacher Tuchel.
This year, again, RB Leipzig have played second fiddle to Bayern – which might prompt Nagelsmann into taking on a new challenge.
Since 2019, Nagelsmann has managed RB LeipzigCredit: Alamy
Tuchel and Nagelsmann came head-to-head in last season’s Champions League semi-finalCredit: Getty
North London could be Nagelsmann’s next stop on his football journeyCredit: Alamy
In the past, he has refused to rule out managing in England one day.
However, with Hans-Dieter Flick’s future in doubt – a job with Bayern Munich could be in the offing.
The question is does ‘Baby Mourinho’ want to step into the shoes of the senior Mourinho in North London?
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