Why Nagelsmann pulled out of Chelsea boss race as left-field candidate emerges

22 April 2023 , 16:58

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Why Nagelsmann pulled out of Chelsea boss race as left-field candidate emerges

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has emerged a surprise candidate on Chelsea’s managerial shortlist as the reasons for Julian Nagelsmann pulling out of the application process has been outlined.

Nagelsmann has found himself on the lookout for a new job after being sacked by Bayern Munich last month. He was replaced by former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel in the Bayern hotseat, with the club subsequently going out of both the German Cup and Champions League.

Nagelsmann, who has already spoken about his admiration for English football, pulled out of the race to become the next permanent Chelsea boss on Friday. He remains a prime candidate to be the new Tottenham boss this summer.

It has now been reported in German media outlet Sport1 that Nagelsmann was detracted from taking the Stamford Bridge role due to his demand for a ‘project on solid ground’ - he did not believe that would be the case at Chelsea.

The details of this were shared by Sky Sport Germany, who claim that the former Bayern coach’s mind was made up on Thursday – when he indicated his decision to withdraw from the process to the west London club.

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Nagelsmann had been considered to be the outstanding candidate for the position alongside former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine is now thought to be the number one case to take over at Stamford Bridge this summer.

Nagelsmann was surprisingly sacked by Bayern Munich last month (Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

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However, The Guardian outline how Celtic boss Postecoglou is also on the club’s radar. The Australian boss looks set to guide the Glasgow giants to their second successive title since he took over the club, with his style of play and eye for talent greatly admired by Blues chiefs.

Vincent Kompany, who has led Burnley to promotion to the Premier League this season, is another name on Chelsea’s shortlist while Feyenoord boss Arne Slot and Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira are among those to have been monitored by the club.

Celtic boss Postecoglou has caught the eye of Chelsea chiefs (Getty Images)

Chelsea have had four different managers in the dugout this campaign, with Tuchel replaced by Graham Potter in September. Yet the former Brighton manager’s recent dismissal saw Bruno Saltor oversee first-team affairs for one game before Frank Lampard was appointed as interim boss.

Lampard became the club’s first manager to lose each of his opening four matches in the hotseat and he oversaw the two-goal defeat at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Tuesday.

Colin Millar