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RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann has drawn comparisons to some of Europe's top coaches but wants to craft his own style.

I cannot be compared to Klopp, Guardiola or Mourinho - Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann is flattered by comparisons to Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, but insists without a trophy he cannot be put up against the three coaching heavyweights.

Nagelsmann took Hoffenheim from Bundesliga relegation candidates to the Champions League before joining RB Leipzig in 2019.

Leipzig finished third in the Bundesliga in 2019-20 and, having already knocked out Mourinho's Tottenham, go up against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The 33-year-old has drawn comparisons to some of European football's leading coaches, yet Nagelsmann says he should not yet be put in the same bracket.

"I would not compare myself with these coaches because I have only one title, a sub-19 championship, in the youth section, nothing remarkable," Nagelsmann told Marca.

"These coaches have so many more successes. My ambition is that people who see our football and consider it interesting, beautiful, that people like to come to the stadium. Of course, I will be happy if titles come."

Renowned for his versatile approach, Nagelsmann affirmed that his main priority is to craft out his own style, rather than fall back on tactics previously developed by others.

"I do not know, you would have to look extremely, in detail, what they do in training, what they say to their players or the tactics they use," Nagelsmann said.

"It is always interesting to compare the way you play soccer. I don't want to name anyone because I think I have developed my own style.

"We practice the football that I like and that I want to play, so each one evaluates which coach he approaches. It seems to me that everyone has their own path.

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Media day vibes

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"I believe that my greatest virtue is to intervene in the game - change things, perceive details and react quickly to ensure that the development of the game goes in the direction we want.

"I perceive things, despite the emotional and physical tension, to know that something is going well or that it does not work. I am not afraid to adapt things to encounters."

Nagelsmann's first season at Leipzig was made easier by having Timo Werner at his disposal, though the Germany international has now moved to Chelsea.

However, Nagelsmann is confident his squad have enough strength in depth to cope without Werner in the remainder of their Champions League campaign.

"The good thing is that we do not have to play with one less, we can replace him," joked Nagelsmann.

"We have the right quality to replace him. Timo is a super player who leaves after scoring many goals, but I also think other players who were in his shadow will replace him."

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