Nagelsmann gave his first press conference on Monday after signing at Hoffenheim’s Red Bull Arena in June, alongside new sporting director Markus Krsche, and somewhat conservative in his ambitions for the club.
“The next few years deserve to be as successful as the last three years in the Bundesliga,” Nagelsmann said of his new positions, which came in third last season to Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. “The purpose is to bring anything brilliant into the house at some point.
Video: Hoffenheim and Nagelsmann’s Leipzig shared the loot at their February assembly
“The DNA of RB Leipzig will remain our base, but I will bring some of my own approaches. I need to build on what they achieved last season. We’ll talk specifically about ball retention and the right mindset.”
Leipzig has hired Brazilian left-back Luan Candido of Palmeiras and Austrian winger Hannes Wolf of Red Bull Salzburg this summer. Since then, the latter has been ruled out for next season due to a cruciate ligament injury, however, Nagelsmann is happy with the team at his disposal.
“We have flexible players, especially in defense. You can play with a 3 and a back 4. We’re still working on our fundamental tactical game book, so we have to wait and see what happens on the field.”
Nagelsmann, who was related to Real Madrid for his time at Hoffenheim, attended The Sachsenring MotoGP on Sunday, but if everything goes according to plan, he will not be able to integrate into too many extracurricular activities in the coming seasons.
“I had other offers, but Leipzig made normal efforts to bring me here,” he said. “Like Red Bull, I’m in a world sporting position, but I probably don’t have time to go through any more spins if everything goes well here.”
Nagelsmann will oversee the summer friendlies against FC Zurich, Rennes and Aston Villa in July and August, followed by a DFB Cup adjustment against Osnabrick, before Leipzig opens the 2019/20 Bundesliga season at Union Berlin, promoted.
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