Pavard dedicates win over Dortmund to Nagelsmann
Benjamin Pavard dedicated Bayern Munich's 4-2 win over Borussia Dortmund to the recently sacked Julian Nagelsmann and his coaching staff.
Thomas Tuchel got off to the perfect start as Bayern Munich coach, leading the German champions to a 4-2 win over rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday night.
However, Benjamin Pavard was keen to point out that former Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann also deserves his share of the credit for the win.
"We were very surprised when Nagelsmann and his two assistants were sacked. I'd like to dedicate today's win to them," the Bayern defender told BeIN Sports (via @iMiaSanMia).
"But this is football, we players don't make these decisions. The new coach is very experienced and successful. We have to move on and continue like we did today.'2
His teammate Joshua Kimmich, who has previously expressed his disappointment with Nagelsmann's dismissal, spoke in the same vein.
"[Nagelsmann] also has his part in it (today's win). It's not as if everything that happened before has been erased," Kimmich said, as quoted by AZ.
In another interview with Sky Germany, he elaborated on his views on the coaching change.
"Of course you feel sorry for the coach, but we as players bear the main responsibility. I'm in my 8th season with Bayern and this is my 7th coach. Only Jupp Heynckes and Pep have not been sacked," Kimmich pointed out.