Julian Nagelsmann's relationship with reporter Lena Wurzenberger lost him the trust of the Bayern Munich dressing room, according to club legend Markus Babbel.
Nagelsmann was this week sacked by the Bundesliga giants and replaced by ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. His axing came as a surprise to the wider football community as he'd lost just three league games this season and had reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
But it seems off-field issues could have also been in play - namely Wurzenberger, who works for German sports news outlet Bild. She began dating Nagelsmann last year after he split from wife of 15 years Verena.
And while she was taken off of Bayern coverage by her employer, it's been claimed she was a "big problem" amongst the squad.
Babbel, who also played for Liverpool during his played career, told Blick: "I know his relationship with the Bild reporter is a huge topic in the dressing room.
"It didn't go over well at all that he was with her. His girlfriend was therefore a big problem for Bayern.
Where should Nagelsmann go next? Let us know in the comments section.
"There was a breach of trust because some players just weren't able to communicate what they were thinking anymore because they were afraid that everything would end up in the newspaper."
Nagelsmann and Wurzenberger were first snapped together holidaying on a yacht in Ibiza last summer and have since become very public with their relationship. She's been in the stands at the Allianz Arena on a number of occasions this season.
Following Nagelsmann's exit, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported Wurzenberger will be leaving Bild at the end of the month. The pair had to cut their skiing trip in the Austrian Zillertal short to return to Germany.
Blacknight8235
0
Bayern Munich allegedly fired their coach because of a sex scandal and hired his replacement who was also fired from Chelsea because of an alleged sex scandal, the irony of the whole matter is a joke
Muoanoyz
0
How can love make Munich to loose games 🤣🤣🤣pathetic
Zoscdnopt
0
looking for silly excuses. TT has also affairs that cost him his job in France PSG and Chelsea
U.S.A8806339
0
I really thought he lost his job for bad performance!! Pure stupidity
Gwinghltd
1
ohh I tot he raped or assaulted a woman. what an innocent crime. poor him.