Referee Frank Willenborg reacted critically, but also surprised, to the statements made by Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann after the 2-3 draw at Borussia Mönchengladbach. "What is said in the dressing room stays there. However, I can say that the matter was discussed there without any insult," said the 44-year-old of the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung". Willenborg, who works as a teacher in Osnabrück, was the fourth official on Saturday and described "the behavior of both benches" as fair and respectful.

After the final whistle of the game on Saturday, Nagelsmann had severely criticized referee Tobias Welz for the early red card against Dayot Upamecano from Munich. The statement "softened pack" was also made, as the Bayern coach admitted in the ZDF interview: "Yes, but I don't always mean the referees." The 35-year-old later apologized for his choice of words on social media.

He only found out about it in the media, said Willenborg. "He didn't tell us referees," he said. Willenborg does not understand that Nagelsmann explained his choice of words with emotions: "Often the reference to emotions is simply an excuse for your own misconduct."

DFB referee boss Lutz Michael Fröhlich had criticized the behavior as "absolutely disrespectful". The control committee of the German Football Association has now initiated investigations against Nagelsmann.

Lutz Fröhlich at Sport1 article in the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" referee profile of Willenborg