As Tottenham eye talks with former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann, it has been claimed the German once owned a Spurs shirt.
Nagelsmann has found himself on the lookout for a new job after being sacked by Bayern despite their impressive Champions League form. The reigning Bundesliga champions won all six group games before eliminating Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16, but have fallen off top spot in the league.
Spurs currently have an incumbent manager, in the form of Antonio Conte, but the Italian is not expected to remain in north London beyond the end of the season. Conte could depart sooner, in which case Nagelsmann would be a popular choice with fans hopeful of seeing their team remain in the top four picture.
"FC Bayern Munich has released head coach Julian Nagelsmann," a Bayern statement on Friday read. "This decision was taken by CEO Oliver Kahn and board member for sport Hasan Salihamidžić in consultation with club president Herbert Hainer.
"Nagelsmann wants to be succeeded by Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel will receive a contract until 30 June 2025 and will supervise squad training for the first time on Monday."
According to The Telegraph, Nagelsmann owned a Spurs shirt after developing "an affinity" for the London club. While specifics have not been given, it has been suggested that the fondness dates back to Mauricio Pochettino's time in charge at Spurs.
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Nagelsmann, who previously spent time in charge of Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig, was reportedly eyed up by Spurs in 2021 when they sought a replacement for Jose Mourinho. Bayern's interest left that move dead in the water, though, and Spurs hired Nuno as their permanent manager before binning the Portuguese after just 10 league games and hiring Conte.
Tuchel was another name linked with Spurs, only for the ex-Chelsea boss to take over from Nagelsmann at the Allianz Arena. The German will take on his former club Borussia Dortmund in his first game, with Bayern also facing a Champions League clash with Manchester City in April.
Conte, meanwhile, is believed to be nearing a Spurs exit. The Italian has travelled back home during the international break, with Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason in charge of training, and Conte could be dismissed before the end of his contract after a spiky interview in the aftermath of his team throwing away a 3-1 lead against Southampton in their last league game.
"Twenty years there is the owner and they never won something but why?" the former Inter Milan boss said. "The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stay here? You are finding an alibi, another alibi. You try to find an excuse for the players. OK, continue to do this, to find an excuse for the players. You do only this! You do only this."
