New Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco insists that he received other ‘offers’ with Premier League strugglers Southampton reportedly showing an interest in the former Schalke and RB Leipzig coach of late, speaking to SudInfo.
Tedesco earned his coaching badges alongside Julian Nagelsmann years ago but, since then, their careers have certainly moved in different directions. Nagelsmann is now in charge of one of Europe’s biggest club sides, appointed by Bayern Munich after thriving at Hoffenheim.
But if he has been on an almost-uninterrupted upward trajectory, Tedesco’s own pathway is far more twisting. The 37-year-old Italian took Schalke to second in the Bundesliga before a dramatic collapse in form. His RB Leipzig side did something similar.
And, after replacing Roberto Martinez as Belgium’s head coach, Tedesco is now one of the youngest coaches on an international scene where experience is often valued over exuberance.
Did Domenico Tedesco turn down Southampton job?
Tedesco, per the Daily Mail, was one of the leading candidates to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl at Southampton late last year. But, while stopping short of confirming that he snubbed the Saints, Tedesco does admit that, after a difficult time in the dugout, he was understandably picky about his next job.
“I don’t comment on the names. I’ve received offers and had a few dates. But in the end, everything has to fit together,” Tedesco explains when asked why he ‘refused’ other jobs.
“Money is not a thing that attracts me. I can say this with a clear conscience, and it also shows in many stages of my CV.
“I presented my ideas (to the Belgian FA). Belgium had great moments during the six years spent with Roberto Martinez but, despite this, the Federation and I were mainly interested in the most recent performances. My analysis was therefore based on the three matches of the World Cup (in which Belgium exited at the group-stages).
“And I presented a pool of players so that the Federation can realise that I do not only know the stars. Above all, Belgium, as a footballing nation, has the ambition to succeed. The goal is to qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany. Nothing has a higher priority.”
Southampton, after that brief and disastrous Jones tenure, hired Ruben Selles on a short-term basis until the end of the season. Selles has had an inconsistent spell in charge so far but did pick up four points against Chelsea and Manchester United.
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