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Julian Nagelsmann will be “sad” to see Niklas Sule leave Bayern Munich but reiterated that the centre-back remains a crucial player for the remainder of the season.
It was confirmed last month that Sule would not be signing a new contract with Bayern. His current deal expires at the end of 2021-22.
And despite links to several Premier League and LaLiga clubs, it was revealed on Monday that Sule had agreed to join Bayern’s Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund at the end of the campaign.
That decision was questioned by Bayern chairman Herbert Hainer earlier this week, as he queried why Sule would take what he views as a step down rather than go for a potentially more lucrative move to England or Spain.
Nagelsmann, however, has maintained his balanced view of the situation, having recently defended Sule following criticism from Bayern great Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
“I don’t judge it at all because it’s not my decision, it’s not my life,” he told a news conference ahead of Bayern’s game with Bochum.
“Of course I’m sad because I’ve been with him for a long time. These are normal processes in football, that players leave us on a free transfer.
“But we still have to get along and make it clear that Niklas is still our player until June 30, and we want the title with greed.
“I can understand that fans are frustrated. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.”
Sule joined Bayern from Hoffenheim in 2017 and has made 159 appearances for the club, winning four Bundesliga titles and two DFB-Pokal crowns, as well as the 2019-20 Champions League.
This season, he has played in 19 Bundesliga games, making 21 interceptions and winning 31 aerial duels.
Asked if Tanguy Nianzou, a 19-year-old who joined Bayern from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020, may step up to replace Sule next season, Nagelsmann replied: “Tanguy is a talent, but he’s getting to an age when he has to play consistently.
“There are moments when he plays outstandingly, then there are moments when he plays hair-raising bad passes. That’s certainly due to the lack of rhythm.
“The coach has to take responsibility for that, but that creates a vicious cycle, you don’t get any game practice and therefore no consistency.
“He has a very great asset and that is his aggression and his unconditional will to defend. Now he has to work on his consistency.”
Nianzou has made just 21 appearances for Bayern so far, with just four of those being starts.
