Julian Nagelsmann's sex scandal with reporter caused 'big problem' in dressing room

Julian Nagelsmann's relationship with reporter Lena Wurzenberger lost him the trust of the Bayern Munich dressing room, according to club legend Markus Babbel.

Nagelsmann was sacked by the Bundesliga giants in March 2023 and replaced by ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. His axing came as a surprise to the wider football community as he'd lost just three league games that season and had reached the Champions League quarter-finals.

But off-field issues could have also been in play - namely Wurzenberger, who worked for German sports news outlet Bild. She began dating Nagelsmann last year after he split from wife of 15 years Verena.

And while she was taken off of Bayern coverage by her employer, it's been claimed she was a "big problem" amongst the squad.

Babbel, who also played for Liverpool during his played career, told Blick: "I know his relationship with the Bild reporter is a huge topic in the dressing room.

"It didn't go over well at all that he was with her. His girlfriend was therefore a big problem for Bayern.

"There was a breach of trust because some players just weren't able to communicate what they were thinking anymore because they were afraid that everything would end up in the newspaper."

Nagelsmann and Wurzenberger were first snapped together holidaying on a yacht in Ibiza in 2022 and then became very public with their relationship.

Following Nagelsmann's exit, Wurzenberger quit her job with Bild.