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Angelino has hailed Julian Nagelsmann for transforming his career at RB Leipzig. - © IMAGO / motivio
Angelino has hailed Julian Nagelsmann for transforming his career at RB Leipzig. - © IMAGO / motivio
bundesliga

Angelino: "I hope I will work with Julian Nagelsmann for a long time"

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Angelino has paid tribute to the "enormous push" RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsman has given his career and hopes the pair will "work together for a long time."

Angelino joined Manchester City in 2013, but made only 15 first-team appearances for the club with fellow Spaniard Pep Guardiola in charge.

Though he impressed at PSV Eindhoven during the 2018/19 campaign - provoking City to activate a buy-back clause in his contract - it was not until he teamed up with Nagelsmann at Leipzig in late January 2020.

"He gave my career an enormous push," acknowledged Angelino, who has started all but one of Leipzig's Bundesliga games this season. "When he speaks to you, he's very direct, very friendly. I have the feeling that we have a good relationship."

The Spain U21 international came to Germany as a left-back, but has been very successfully employed by Nagelsmann in a more attacking left-wing-back role.

The Leipzig boss has seen his bold ploy pay rich dividends with Angelino contributing eight goals and nine assists in 31 competitive outings this term having already played a central role in Die Roten Bullen's run to last season's UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

Watch: Angelino - Analysis of Leipzig's high-flying wing-back

"If someone believes in you so much, plays you every week, you have to repay them. Hopefully we'll work together for a long time," said the 24-year-old, whose elevated status has provoked a reaction from opponents.

"Most teams put a man on me and put more pressure on my side, but that's good because it leaves more space on the right."

Angelino, who was at Deportivo La Coruna's youth academy before moving to City in 2013, drew parallels with Nagelsmann and former Bayern Munich boss Guardiola, citing similarities as well as one glaring difference.

"They both like to have possession and to win back the ball as soon as possible. But there is a big difference between them: one put his faith in me, the other didn't," he explained. "On one side, I learned a lot from Pep. On the other side, I didn't play as much as I wanted."

Following back-to-back loan spells in Germany, Angelino put pen to paper on a permanent contract running through to 2025 in mid-February, and was praised by Nagelsmann for his desire to "always play and always win" as well as his "high energy level".

For the man himself, there is no question of ever taking his foot off the throttle.