Julian Nagelsmann was dismissed from Bayern Munich in an embarrassing public episode that occurred on a ski trip during an international break, with the news reaching him through the media. The dismissal left both Nagelsmann and Bayern Munich looking poorly and could reasonably generate personal resentment. Both Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade consulted Nagelsmann before making transfer decisions, and both ultimately moved toward English clubs. Wirtz chose the English Premier League over a flawed Bayern plan, while Woltemade wanted Bayern but was blocked by VfB Stuttgart. Nagelsmann advised Woltemade to secure at least 25% playing time to stay in contention for the 2026 World Cup.
To be clear, we are not accusing Nagelsmann of any misdeeds, but his tenure at Bayern Munich did end in massively embarrassing fashion - on a ski trip, during an international break, all while finding out through the media. It was a colossal debacle, which painted Nagelsmann in a terrible light, despite probably making Bayern Munich somehow look worse. Nagelsmann is a professional, but this was (or at least felt)...personal and, conceivably, it could make even the most even-keeled person a little resentful.
What we do know is this - both Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade consulted Nagelsmann before making a decision and both opted to take a pathway to England. That does not mean that Nagelsmann had an evil look on his face, rubbed his hands together, and laughed maniacally after advising Wirtz and Woltemade to bypass Bavaria. However, Nagelsmann is human and was dumped in a terrible way.
Of course, the circumstances were different for both players, Wirtz was deciding against domestic dominance and stardom for a team that offered him a shoddy plan (despite having years to plan for this moment) vs. a big test in the EPL for a team that knew exactly what it wanted to do with him. Meanwhile, Woltemade actually wanted to join Bayern Munich, but could not due to VfB Stuttgart's refusal to sell to Bayern.
Before his Newcastle move, Woltemade's conversation with Nagelsmann included advice that he should secure at least 25% playing time if he moved to Bayern Munich to ensure he would be in the mix for the 2026 World Cup. That might have been tough to get once Jamal Musiala returned, but it mighty not have been impossible (if Woltemade was productive).
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