Like van Gaal once did: Nagelsmann wants to shape a new Bayern era with these tactics

Julian Nagelsmann’s contract with FC Bayern runs until 2026. The 35-year-old enjoys the full confidence of those responsible at Säbener Straße. Sports director Hasan Salihamidzic recently emphasized that Nagelsmann is a „long-term project.“ According to current media reports, the Bayern coach wants to shape a new era at the German record champion – especially in terms of tactics.

Louis van Gaal introduced the 4-2-3-1 system at FC Bayern in 2009 and all successful Bayern coaches after him have adopted this system. In view of the numerous national and international successes in the past 13 years, the 4-2-3-1 can certainly be called a successful system.

Julian Nagelsmann, on the other hand, is not too fond of this tactical formation. The 35-year-old tends to favor a three-man backfield and has gradually implemented it as Bayern’s new system in recent weeks.

Nagelsmann wants to establish the three-man backline at FC Bayern

After three draws in a row to start the new year, in which Nagelsmann always played with a four-man backline, the switch to a three-man backline followed at the beginning of February in the 4-2 win over Mainz 05 in the cup. Since then, the FCB has won seven of its last eight games and beat Paris Saint-Germain in the CL round of 16.

As reported by „Sport BILD“, Nagelsmann wants to stick to the back three in the future. According to the paper, the 35-year-old would like to shape a new era at the German record champion, like Louis van Gaal once did.

Looking at the current Bayern squad, the Munich team certainly has the players to make this ambitious plan a success. On the defensive side, Nagelsmann has four top international defenders in Matthijs de Ligt, Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, and Lucas Hernandez. Even homegrown Josip Stanisic recently proved against PSG that he can keep up at the top level.

Most importantly, FCB also has the necessary player material in the so-called track positions, the jokers as Nagelsmann calls this role. The arrow-quick Alphonso Davies and Kingsley Coman are currently set as rail players under Nagelsmann. But Serge Gnabry and Joao Cancelo can also take on this role.

It will be exciting to see whether Bayern can continue their recent success story with the three-man backline and establish it as a permanent system.