While players are busy with national teams at various tournaments across the globe, Bayern Munich is preparing for life with Julian Nagelsmann. The German manager will arrive at the club at the start of July to take charge after signing a long-term deal.
Along with new ideas, Nagelsmann is also likely to bring a new system for Die Roten. According to Bild, Nagelsmann is planning to implement a three-man defense at the club. The 34-year-old coach has used this system at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig.
This report has also confirmed that the German Champions will be looking to add a quality right-back to provide similar offensive output as Alphonso Davies does on the left side of the defense. Previously, German media outlets have insisted that winger and right-back are key targets for Die Roten after signing Dayot Upamecano and Omar Richards.
As per Bild, another option for Nagelsmann is using Serge Gnabry in the wing-back role. The German forward had worked with Nagelsmann during his loan spell at Hoffenheim. It will be interesting to see whether Gnabry will now revert to this role after being effective as a winger for Rekordmeister.
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For playing three-man defense, Die Roten currently has numerous options in the squad. Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernandez, and Nianzou Kouassi will be surely at the club next summer, so they will be frontrunners to play in this role. If Niklas Sule also ends up staying, then he will be an option.
The arrival of a new right-back will also make sure that Benjamin Pavard can also slot in the heart of the defense. Along with these senior defenders, there are young options like Chris Richards and Lukas Mai that can also be added to the squad after successful loan spells at Hoffenheim and Darmstadt, respectively.
Hansi Flick had stuck with the 4-2-3-1 system at Die Roten for 18 months. A change of system will need a thorough pre-season since players will have to adapt to new roles. However, having multiple versatile and flexible players in the squad will make Nagelsmann’s work easier next season.
Along with right-back and winger, Die Roten could also look for a dynamic midfielder this summer. Earlier this week, Juventus reportedly initiated contacts to explore a move for Corentin Tolisso. If the French midfielder leaves after Euro 2020, Rekordmeister will be looking for a new midfielder. Along with wholesale changes in personnel for next season, Bayern is also likely to have a new style of play and identity on the pitch.