Hoffenheim boss Julian Nagelsmann quits to become RB Leipzig boss NEXT season
German, 30, has been in charge of Bundesliga side since 2015
JULIAN NAGELSMANN will quit Hoffenheim to become RB Leipzig boss at end of next season.
The German, 30, has been in charge of the Bundesliga side since 2015 and his work has impressed a host of top European clubs.
Nagelsmann was thought to be on Arsenal's shortlist to replace Arsene Wenger before Unai Emery was confirmed as the Frenchman's successor.
He guided Hoffenheim to fourth place in his first full season in charge before finishing one place higher last season.
The announcement comes as a major shock after Nagelsmann signed a four-year contract until 2021 in June of last year.
He looked poised for the Bayern Munich job, having made no secret of his desire to manage them – despite turning down a role with their Under-23 side when he became Hoffenheim boss.
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However, he lost out to Eintracht Frankfurt boss Niko Kovac, who will now take over Jupp Heynckes.
Nagelsmann will now link up with RB Leipzig, with former Hoffenheim boss Ralf Rangnick is now sporting director.
Nagelsmann joined up with Hoffenheim in 2012 and took over coaching for a number of the clubs youth sides.
He led the U19 team to the Bundesliga title in 2014, which earned him the nickname 'Mini Mourinho' from fellow coach Tim Wiese.
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His work didn't go unnoticed by boardroom, who turned to Nagelsmann in 2016 and appointed him to start at the beginning of the 2016/17 season.
But a combination of ill-health to Huub Stevens and poor on-field form saw that brought forward - and he took over in the February instead with his side seven points from safety.
Nagelsmann saved the team from relegation and transformed their fortunes the following season, guiding Hoffenheim to fourth in the league and their first Champions League campaign.
A youth product of 1860 Munich and Augsburg, he was a tough centre-back during his playing days.
But persistent knee injuries plagued him throughout his youth and forced him to retire at just 18, whilst playing for the Augsburg under-19 side in 2008.
He enrolled in a university sports science course, before moving back to his former club and taking up a coaching role alongside future Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel - now in charge of Paris Saint-Germain.