Questions continue to mount in Bavaria in the opening weeks of the 2022-23 Bundesliga season as holding German champions Bayern Munich have gone into the current international break in uncharacteristic poor form under highly-touted boss Julian Nagelsmann.
The Rekordmeister have embarked on a four-match winless run highlighted by a shock 1-0 against fellow Bavarian outfit FC Augsburg last weekend which prompted an immediate response from the powers that be, including club director Hasan Salihamidžić;
“We haven’t won in four games. I’m a bit concerned. We didn’t finish several chances and conceded few chances. We can’t win like that in the Bundesliga. We have problems against physical teams. Now there are no more excuses, now we need wins.”
Additionally, there have been in the halls of Säbener Straße when it comes to Nagelsmann’s player decisions in particular moments this term, and with pressure beginning to mount, the Bayern board has laid out a four-point plan of progression for Nagelsmann if he is to rectify the situation at the Allianz Arena.
What the bosses expect from Nagelsmann:
• Stronger leadership style
• Professionalize his external image
• Place more responsibility on the players
• Improve the buildup play[@SkySportDE] pic.twitter.com/fE9rvkK822
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) September 22, 2022
Lauded for his tactical mind when coming through the coaching ranks, there is a concern that has begun to pop up regarding his managerial style that eludes to a persistent tendency to over-think and try to problem solve to a level that becomes frustrating which has ultimately turned into tactical inconsistencies with detrimental effects.
Moreover, the level of ability in the Bayern senior setup means that Nagelsmann should be able to put more faith in his players to problem solve on the pitch – something that legendary Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger used to champion – without meticulously trying to direct every spell of a match down to the very detail.
Bayern returns to action in the Bundesliga in eight days’ time when they clash with struggling Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena, and should the club suffer yet another disappointing result, there is no telling what reaction – or overreaction – that could fall on the shoulders of one of Europe’s brightest young managerial talents.
