[AS PUBLISHED IN MALAY MAIL]
Magic of Nagelsmann
By Jordan Barnes
JULIAN NAGELSMANN had no right taking Hoffenheim to unprecedented heights and Champions League qualification.
His recipe for success?
Doing what “ze Germanz” do best:
Tactical know how
Employs a versatile, fluid formation pleasing on the eye.
► Flexible approach hailed as forward-thinking in one of Europe’s top leagues.
► Not averse to switching from three defenders to four or five, sometimes mid-game.
► Dynamic mix of possession and counter-attacking football.
Textbook example
In recent 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich …
► Played three at the back with a high line, holding midfielder and wing backs.
► Was remarkably assured the set-up would undo the champions.
“Bayern are weak in moments. When they’re put under pressure they make mistakes,” boasted boyhood fan Nagelsmann.
Shock
► Victory was Hoffenheim’s first over Bayern in 18 attempts.
► Ended Bavarian giants’ 20-game unbeaten run.
It was another feather in the cap of Nagelsmann:
► Who was awarded DFB Coach of the Year just days beforehand.
Much like Brian Clough at Derby in the late 1960s:
► Playing career left unfulfilled due to injury, excelled on the touchline.
And in the famed words of the Englishman: “Good managers make good sides. There’s no such thing as a side making a manager.”
Sure enough, team have performed:
► Heavy squad rotation among players, several of whom in reserves when Nagelsmann arrived.
► Turned average squad into the extraordinary.
► Uncapped Sandro Wagner, once forgotten, returned and netted 11 goals, attracting interest from division’s top teams.
► Bayern meanwhile have secured services of holding midfielder Sebastian Rudy and defender Niklas Sule for next season.
“The key is to treat reserve players like any others,” said Nagelsmann.
Simple is as simple does, and Nagelsmann does simple very well.
His pre-game routine?
► Locked away with a notepad and pen, scribbling tactics.
His office?
► Doesn’t own one, stays with assistants.
Magic of Nagelsmann
By Jordan Barnes
JULIAN NAGELSMANN had no right taking Hoffenheim to unprecedented heights and Champions League qualification.
His recipe for success?
Doing what “ze Germanz” do best:
Tactical know how
Employs a versatile, fluid formation pleasing on the eye.
► Flexible approach hailed as forward-thinking in one of Europe’s top leagues.
► Not averse to switching from three defenders to four or five, sometimes mid-game.
► Dynamic mix of possession and counter-attacking football.
Textbook example
In recent 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich …
► Played three at the back with a high line, holding midfielder and wing backs.
► Was remarkably assured the set-up would undo the champions.
“Bayern are weak in moments. When they’re put under pressure they make mistakes,” boasted boyhood fan Nagelsmann.
Shock
► Victory was Hoffenheim’s first over Bayern in 18 attempts.
► Ended Bavarian giants’ 20-game unbeaten run.
It was another feather in the cap of Nagelsmann:
► Who was awarded DFB Coach of the Year just days beforehand.
Much like Brian Clough at Derby in the late 1960s:
► Playing career left unfulfilled due to injury, excelled on the touchline.
And in the famed words of the Englishman: “Good managers make good sides. There’s no such thing as a side making a manager.”
Sure enough, team have performed:
► Heavy squad rotation among players, several of whom in reserves when Nagelsmann arrived.
► Turned average squad into the extraordinary.
► Uncapped Sandro Wagner, once forgotten, returned and netted 11 goals, attracting interest from division’s top teams.
► Bayern meanwhile have secured services of holding midfielder Sebastian Rudy and defender Niklas Sule for next season.
“The key is to treat reserve players like any others,” said Nagelsmann.
Simple is as simple does, and Nagelsmann does simple very well.
His pre-game routine?
► Locked away with a notepad and pen, scribbling tactics.
His office?
► Doesn’t own one, stays with assistants.
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