/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67177123/1252898271.jpg.0.jpg)
Julian Nagelsmann is one of the most promising and youngest coaches in elite European football. Red Bull Leipzig’s manager gave an interview to MARCA where he talked about the upcoming match against Atletico de Madrid in the Champions League Quarterfinals, but he also revealed that he received interest from Real Madrid to coach the team right before club legend Zinedine Zidane returned to the club after his short sabbatical.
“We talked on the phone but in the end I made the decision to stay because I thought that the time wasn’t right just yet for me to go to Real Madrid. I was one of the candidates and it was quite a short list, it was very important for me. I had a good talk with [Real Madrid CEO] Jose Angel Sanchez and we decided that it wasn’t the right step to take just yet. We agreed that we would talk in the future if Madrid were to need a coach and I am available,” said Nagelsmann.
The German coach is probably right when he mentions that it was too son for him to coach a club of Real Madrid’s caliber. Nagelsmann could gain more experience and increase his reputation during the next few seasons so that his experience coaching star players becomes an easier one.
If he keeps impressing though, it’s clear that he’s destined to coach an elite club fairly soon, so it’s interesting to see that Real Madrid showed interest and even talked with him a year ago.