Regardless of where they play, Nagelsmann has always stated that he wants his players to get a lot of playing time. Before deciding to move to Newcastle, he expressed the same worry to Woltemade after witnessing Stuttgart repeatedly block a trade to Bayern. Instead of instructing Woltemade which team he should join, the German head coach suggested that he approach Bayern to ensure that he gets enough playing time.
In the past, the former Bayern head coach expressed his support for Woltemade moving to a team where he would have more playing time. He supported Woltemade staying with Stuttgart even before the Magpies showed interest in him because he would have more time to mature and improve there than at Bayern, where he would have to compete for playing time against Harry Kane, who would be their main striker.
After being the subject of a summertime media frenzy, with Stuttgart reportedly turning down three bids for the striker from Bayern, Woltemade eventually signed for Newcastle. Although he denied giving him advice on where to go, his national team boss cautioned him to put playing time first in order to increase his chances of making Germany’s World Cup roster.
Nagelsmann responded, “I think it’s unfortunate on all sides that everything was played out so publicly,” when asked about the protracted Woltemade controversy. I gave him some advise, of course, but it wasn’t about where he should relocate—I don’t do that—but more that players must play [often]. Some of the summer transfers weren’t totally lucky in my opinion. As a result, players’ playing time drops from 100% to 15%. As a coach of the national team, that doesn’t help me much. I informed Nick that he was free to relocate to Bayern if he so desired. But he should also make it plain to them that with 25% playing time, things would be tight for him for the World Cup.”