Having just notched up its ninth consecutive title this season, you don’t need to be a football ‘Stan’ to know Bayern Munich stand head and shoulders in Germany’s domestic Bundesliga.
However, while the team at the top may have been familiar, the man steering it through the year was otherwise a fresh face in Julian Nagelsmann, who successfully picked up where his esteemed predecessor Hansi Flick left off to keep the records coming.
Indeed, taking over from such a successful manager brings with it significant pressures (just ask David Moyes…) and Nagelsmann has revealed what it took for him to handle the spotlight of expectation… and the source of inspiration comes from a surprising place.
As it so happens Nagelsmann identifies motorcycle racers as the sportspeople that embody the mindset required for football managers, in that they require the strongest mettle and mental resolve to keep their cool in high-speed situations where a single mistake could spell disaster.
It so happens that, as well as being an avid biker himself, Nagelsmann is close friends with Marcel Schrotter, Germany’s leading GP racing representative currently competing in Moto2. One of the more experienced riders in the intermediate class - this is his ninth season - Schrotter is a five-time podium winner and is currently riding high in sixth overall on the IntactGP entry.
Speaking to AZ, Nagelsmann says he also applies the same racer principle to instill motivation into Bayern’s young players. Indeed, with racers often having to bring sponsorship to a team, unlike scholarship funded football proteges, Nagelsmann points to riders like Schrotter as an excellent example for focusing players.
“[They need to] Stick with it — initially without any monetary compensation. The way to the top is very, very long. This unconditional will to join the elite circle is lacking in many young footballers, some of whom give up too early,”
Nagelsmann goes on to speak about his relationship with Schrotter, adding that they are unable to participate in ride outs together because Schrotter - like a surprising number of his contemporaries - doesn’t possess a road-going licence, joking the 28-year old has to keep up with his Ducati while Schrotter makes do with a scooter.
Now if only football players made like racers by not falling hysterically to the ground at the merest hint of a stiff breeze, then I might even be tempted to watch a match...
