Bayern's crisis hasn't changed anything about Julian Nagelsmann's night's rest. "I sleep the same as the weeks before," revealed the 35-year-old, who wants to initiate the trend reversal in the Bundesliga with the Munich team on Friday evening (8:30 p.m. / DAZN) by beating Bayer Leverkusen.

They are fifth in the table four games without a win in the league, the low point was a 0-1 draw at FC Augsburg before the international break. After that, there was criticism for Bayern and Nagelsmann. In general, he takes "every criticism to heart," said the Bayern coach. If she is overdone, he doesn't let her get too close to him.

"Football is a very important part for me and a passion, but I don't define myself as a person or my happiness in life," said Nagelsmann. He tries to have the necessary distance.

The magic of the first weeks of the season is gone. Now Nagelsmann is required to end the weak phase. The season got off to a great start, but lately there has been a bit of a hitch, said President Herbert Hainer. Nagelsmann was backed by CEO Oliver Kahn, sports director Hasan Salihamidzic and him. "Internally there is no additional pressure at all," said Hainer.

The bosses recently took responsibility for the stars. And Nagelsmann does not see himself alone in his duty. "I know that I invest a lot in the job. I'm not solely responsible for everything, just like the players. It's a team sport, and it will be on Friday evening too," said the coach, who will be with the club until 2026.

The gap to leaders 1. FC Union Berlin is five points, which the Munich team want to change as soon as possible. Nagelsmann was asked at the press conference the day before the Leverkusen game whether he saw the Berliners as real championship candidates. He replied: "I don't have the capacity to worry about other clubs. I'm happy for Urs Fischer and Union because he's a good guy and Union is a good club. Nevertheless, of course we want to be in front of them on Payday. "