Julian Nagelsmann on Rejecting Real Madrid Job: 'I Will Have Another Chance'

Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann has revealed he rejected the chance to succeed Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid manager after the Frenchman surprisingly quit back in May.

The 31-year-old has been in his current role since 2016 and said he turned down the opportunity to move to the Santiago Bernabeu as it may emerge again, per 11Freunde (h/t Goal's Harry West): "Madrid called me. Who would hang up the telephone? Universe Football Club doesn't exist, so there's no bigger club than Real Madrid. But I am 31 years old, I will have another chance. I didn't want to move countries."

The German added that, for family reasons, it was not the best time to move abroad.

Nagelsmann is already set to take over at RB Leipzig at the end of the 2018-19 season.

It is little surprise that Real got in touch with him as he is widely considered one of the best young coaches in Europe.

In his two full seasons with Hoffenheim, he has led them to two top-four finishes in the Bundesliga.

They were unfortunate to come up against eventual finalists Liverpool in last season's play-off round in the UEFA Champions League. But they have qualified directly to the group stage for the 2018-19 Champions League.

Zidane called it a day at the Bernabeu two months ago after leading Los Blancos to a third consecutive Champions League triumph.

Real subsequently appointed former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui just days before the 2018 FIFA World Cup.