Is Julian Nagelsmann still bitter about Bayern sacking? Sporting director explains why Germany coach rejected offer to replace Thomas Tuchel a year after they sacked him

Nagelsmann, 36, was recently linked with a return to Bayern as they continue the search to find Thomas Tuchel's successor at the club.

However, the former RB Leipzig boss has since opted to extend his contract with the German national team to 2026 ahead of this summer's European Championships.

The decision arrives as another blow to the Bavarian club in their managerial hunt after already being rejected by Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso.

“It is clear that we have to talk to the coaches to find a coach and that we have our list with whom we always try to communicate and compare notes,” Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl said to Sky Germany.

“That was also the case. We also spoke to Julian [Nagelsmann] without it being the final scene. And at some point you realized - okay, the sting from back then is still very fresh and that's why it bothers us."

Naglesmann took charge of Bayern back in 2021 and guided the club to the Bundesliga title in his first season in charge, as well as the DFL-Supercup in both 2021 and 2022.

Despite this, he was relieved of his duties at the Allianz Arena in March 2023 - which Eberl thinks played a role in his decision to stay with the national team across recent weeks.

Regarding the club looking at other prospects, the Bayern chief added: "Very, very good shape when it comes to searching for a coach and hope that we'll get further there soon.

"I know that time is of course of the essence. That's also our intention, that we want to do it quickly, but we still want to do it as hard and as thoroughly as necessary and that is our job that Christoph [Freund] and I do.

"But as I said, we are now very, very final and will hopefully be soon what we can announce."

The search for a new manager ahead of the 2024/25 campaign will now continue. The other options being linked with the role include former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi and Aston Villa's Unai Emery.