Martin Samuel: Of course Julian Nagelsmann wants no part in Chelsea beauty parade

Nagelsmann’s decision is good news for Mauricio Pochettino, we are told, but it’s not a good look. It is now the job Nagelsmann didn’t want, instead of the one Pochettino is delighted to have. He has already done one round of interviews and lost out to Graham Potter. It’s beginning to appear his by default, and he’s a fine coach – but hardly the most positive start, is it?

Having rushed, rushed, rushed their player recruitment process, Chelsea are now in the slow lane on managers as their season stumbles to a close. They didn’t want Luis Enrique and fair enough. That much was obvious when he made it known that, unlike several other candidates, he was ready to take over mid-season, even before the Champions League tie with Real Madrid. The moment Chelsea did not jump at the chance of that, it meant they were unimpressed. Yet their season continues to drift.

It is one thing wishing to know a manager’s plans for the club but those talks can be conducted through intermediaries, not in a slew of headlines. This one’s had an interview, that one’s had an interview. An interview? Did Roman Abramovich ever do the rounds? Hardly. He targeted a candidate. Not always the right one, but Chelsea didn’t do badly out of it.

Manchester City the same. They didn’t interview Pep Guardiola, they love-bombed him. They brought in his allies from Barcelona. They even ensured his predecessor was a manager whose recruitment plans would not be dissimilar. Manuel Pellegrini was Pep Lite until the real thing became available. No further discussions were required.

Now there’s a link to Vincent Kompany at Chelsea. It’s all so random. This is a great job, even without European football next season. Chelsea have good players, the owner has spent money. It just needs a coach with a clear strategy.

He needs to know the players he needs, who must leave to balance the finances and a way of playing.

Jurgen Klopp did it at Liverpool, so has Erik ten Hag with Manchester United, Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. All of those clubs have rebuilt from a low base because clubs in the elite can do that, and quickly. It can be done at Chelsea – but the management need a plan, too.

Who doesn’t know what Pochettino will bring to the party, what Nagelsmann would have brought, Luis Enrique, even Kompany? There are two directors of football at this club, and they need to interview to locate the information? Maybe that’s what made Nagelsmann’s mind up. Good managers don’t audition; and neither do smart clubs.

– The Times

Originally published as Martin Samuel: Of course Julian Nagelsmann wants no part in Chelsea beauty parade