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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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AS the door closes for Jose Mourinho, another one opens for Ryan Mason.The Special One was sensationally sacked by Tottenham on Monday, after just 17 months in charge, despite leading the club to an EFL Cup final.
Ryan Mason, 29, will become temporary manager of Tottenham after Jose Mourinho’s sackingCredit: Getty
Mason was forced to retire from the game at the age of 26 after a sickening clash of heads with Gary CahillCredit: Getty – Contributor
Chris Powell and Mason are said to be filling in for Jose Mourinho in the interimCredit: Getty
Leading the team out at Wembley next weekend will be former Spurs kid Mason, 29, who was forced to retire from a serious head injury, and will lead the team with Chris Powell for an interim period.
The former Tottenham youth product returned to the club last season and has been overseeing the next generation of Spurs players in the academy.
He’s a (young) man who knows the club inside out.
SPURS YOUTH STAR
North London-born Mason joined Spurs at the tender age of eight, climbing through the ranks to sign a professional contract in 2008.
That same year he made his debut for the Premier League giants – coming on as a sub for David Bentley in a 1-0 Uefa Cup win away against Dutch club NEC.
In the 2008-09 Premier Academy League, Mason was top scorer with 29 goals in 31 games from midfield.
First team experience became vital for the young talent.
So, he was sent out on loan to Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers, Millwall, French club Lorient, and Swindon Town.
North Londoner Mason is a Spurs boy through and through after joining their academy aged eightCredit: Rex
Youth star Mason made his debut for Spurs against NEC in 2008Credit: Rex
Loan spells away at clubs like Yeovil gave Mason valuable first team experienceCredit: Rex
POCH BELIEVED IN HIM
In 2014, Mason impressed new boss Mauricio Pochettino during a US preseason tour enough to be included in first team affairs.
He handed him a start against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup in a 3-1 win for Spurs – a game in which he scored his first goal for the club.
Later that week, Mason was given his Premier League debut against Arsenal – playing a starring role in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates.
Mason put in a combative display against Arsenal in the North London derbyCredit: Reuters
Former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was always protective of MasonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The defensive midfielder became a first team regular under Pochettino, and was a starter the last time Spurs reached a cup final in 2015 – a disappointing 2-0 defeat by Chelsea.
In 2016, Mason captained Spurs for the very first time in a Europa League tie against Fiorentina.
He scored in a 3-0 second leg win and was the darling of Spurs fans.
In Spanish journalist Guillem Balague’s book A Brave New World, about Pochettino, the Argentinian coach calls Mason a “very special player, a very special person”.
A KINSHIP WITH KANE
Mason’s emergence at Spurs coincided with the rise of their greatest striker since Gary Lineker.
The pair were famous friends, who came into the side together under Pochettino and gave Spurs fans something to shout about with their all-action performances.
Harry Kane and Mason celebrate a goal togetherCredit: PA:Press Association
The pair shared a special bond and were called up by England togetherCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Both homegrown talents, they were immersed in the history of the club and that was recognised on the pitch with how they played with one another.
They embraced Pochettino’s approach, and bought into the new regime.
Fittingly, they both would become first team regulars, captain the side, and earn international honours.
CAPPED BY ENGLAND
Mason’s form for his club didn’t go unnoticed at international level.
In 2015, he received his first call-up to the senior England team for a European qualifier against Lithuania and a friendly against Italy.
He made his debut against the latter in the Juventus stadium, delighting Spurs and Three Lions fans with an assist for an Andros Townsend goal.
It was, though, the only time he played for England.
Mason made his international debut against ItalyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Andros Townsend celebrates scoring against Italy after being assisted by MasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
TO HULL AND BACK
In 2016, Spurs accepted a £13million bid from Hull City for Mason, who had suffered a dip in form.
He made his debut against Burnley away, before becoming a first team regular.
His first goal for the club came in a EFL Cup win over Stoke.
However, his career in East Yorkshire would only last 20 games.
A horrific injury in a Premier League game against Chelsea, after a clash of heads with Gary Cahill would end his career.
FRACTURED SKULL
Mason fractured his skull in the incident with Cahill and underwent a serious operation.
In 2016 Mason moved to Hull City for £13millionCredit: PA:Press Association
Mason stretchered off after suffering a horrific injuryCredit: Getty – Contributor
14 metal plates were inserted into his skull held together with 28 screws and 45 staples – to save his life.
Aged just 26 – he was forced to retire.
This season, Wolves’ Mexican forward Raul Jimenez suffered a similar fate against Arsenal back in November and has been out of action since.
The incident reminded Mason of his own misfortune.
Mason told the Between The Lines podcast: “I was so, so lucky to stay alive.
“It was very touch and go and I almost lost my life.”
He also talked about the after-effects, including things he might have taken for granted beforehand.
He revealed: “I could have a list of so many things that actually affected me for so long afterwards, and sometimes I forget, so I’ve got it all written down.
“I was sleeping for like 20 hours a day… I couldn’t really hold a conversation.
A scoreboard at KCOM Stadium shows its support for MasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Since retiring aged 26, Mason has began to work with the Tottenham’s stars of tomorrow in their academyCredit: Getty

“When the brain gets an injury, the body just instinctively responds and it almost shuts everything else down.
“The main focus is on making sure the brain’s OK, because it is fundamental to how we live as humans.
“The body invests so much energy into recovery.”
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