Julian Nagelsmann has broken his silence on the reports that emerged on Friday revealing he had withdrawn from the Chelsea managerial race.
The young head coach looked to be one of the favourites but he has since sent a clear eight-word message clearing up those claims. Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, he said: "To cancel something, you have to say something."
Several reports have later emerged in the aftermath of his decision being confirmed with Nagelsmann said to be concerned about fundamental structural, recruitment and process decisions. While Chelsea were also said to not be totally sold on the 35-year-old.
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Nagelsmann's response to pulling out of the race clearly indicate nothing was ever signed, confirmed or finalised between the two parties. Instead it was just that talks had been held and the former Bayern Munich boss was on one of the four names on Todd Boehly's final shortlist.
Mauricio Pochettino, Vincent Kompany and an unknown manager completed the list, but Nagelsmann can now be considered off that following his withdrawal from the race. Pochettino was the one name placed alongside Nagelsmann after the former Tottenham boss impressed in talks recently, but now he could emerge as the outright favourite.
Following defeat to Brighton, Chelsea held a three-hour meeting with Kompany, while the mystery name could be Ruben Amorim or Marceloa Gallardo after both coaches were linked with the vacancy.
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