FIRST TEAM
07/23/2017

Naglesmann’s 30th birthday present: ‘Manager of the Year’ award

The 23rd of July 2017 is a special day for Julian Nagelsmann. The TSG manager celebrates his last day at training camp in Windischgarsten, his 30th birthday, and winning the “Kicker” ‘Manager of the Year 2017’ award. 885 German sport journalists cast their vote in the poll.

The vote for the 2016/17 Manager of the Year award was a neck-and-neck race. Nagelsmann faced stiff competition from the nearby located Freiburg manager Christian Streich. Ultimately, it was the youngest manager in Bundesliga history that won the award by just 12 votes over his 52-year-old colleague in Freiburg, thereby also becoming the youngest manager to win the award. The final count read 273 to 261 in favour of Nagelsmann, with RB Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhüttl in third place (107 votes).

Nagelsmann was delighted with the award: “Every award comes with its own significance, be it a fan poll, or an award organised by ‘Kicker’, or just some recognition by the experts of the sport. They continuously discuss the football world with another, and so I’m proud to have received the recognition – I still have to continue working hard, however.

TSG’s maiden European outing

Nagelsmann took over TSG from Huub Stevens, who had to leave his post due to health concerns, in February, 2016, as TSG were in the midst of a relegation battle. Since then, the Bavarian-born manager, who led TSG’s U19s to the 2014 title, has not just saved TSG from being relegated – but helped them secure their first taste of European football in the club’s history.

The manager managed to secure 62 points with his team – and remained undefeated at home – en route to a fourth place finish after 34 games. During the season, the club celebrated its first win against record champions Bayern München, and also their 100th Bundesliga win overall.  The team broke a new record in terms of how high they finished (previously 7th in 2008/09), how many points they scored (previously 55 points in 2008/09), and won more games than ever before (16). Finally, a new club record was set after Hoffenheim conceded just 37 goals in 34 Bundesliga games.

The Bavarian manager was nominated by the magazine “11 Freunde”, along with his team: Alfred Schreuder, Matthias Kaltenbach, Michael Rechner, and Benjamin Glück for the ‘Coaching Staff of the Year’ award. Nagelsmann doesn’t see the award nominations as a one-man-show either, however: “I view the success as a team accomplishment, thanks to all the work that’s been done by everyone in the building at TSG,” says Nagelsmann. The 30-year-old sees the award as confirmation of all the hard work they’ve done so far: “Sporting success is the aim of everybody involved in a sport – and we’re no different. However, this award shows that we’re on the right track.”

Prominent winners

“Kicker” have led the Footballer of the Year awards since 1960, with the first winner being uwe Seeler. An award for women’s football was established in 1996, with the Manger of the Year award beginning in 2002.

Nagelsmann joins a list of prominent manager who have won the award before him. He follows in the footsteps of last year’s winner Dirk Schuster (formerly at Darmstadt 98), as well as Joachim Löw (2014), Jupp Heynckes (2013), Jürgen Klopp (2011, 2012), Ottmar Hitzfeld (2008), and Felix Magath (2003).

Reactions to the vote:

Dietmar Hopp: “This award is a well-deserved recognition of the xceptional work that Julian has over the last 18 months. Not only has he further developed the team, but he has also contributed to a new image of TSG with his charisma. We’re very happy to have him here with us for the coming years.”

Hansi Flick: “Julian’s work with both the players and the academy at TSG is impressive. He has a deep knowledge of the sport, and displays passion, inspiration, and team-spirit. Time and time again he’s managed to develop players – and not just on the pitch. It’s all the more impressive when you consider the fact that he turns 30 today. It’s a phenomenal achievement that is a gift for him on his birthday. “ 

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