“That’s the nature of pro sport,” Mintzlaff told Wednesday’s edition of the Sport Bild weekly ahead of the weekend clash between the two sides in Leipzig.

“We are not standing in front of empty shelves now. Coaches and players who are with us now are in the top shelf just like those who have left.”

Bayern signed Nagelsmann, defender Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Marcel Sabitzer from runner-up Leipzig amid criticism from some that they were yet again weakening a major rival.

But Mintzlaff said that “Bayern didn’t empty us and in the end we gave our consent to the transfers.”

He said he is “very grateful” for everything Nagelsmann has done but shedding a tear over him because “we have a new head coach I was looking forward to a lot” in American Jesse Marsch.

Leipzig have lost two of the first three games of the Bundesliga season but Mintzlaff said management is not panicking despite big aims and that he is convinced of Marsch’s qualities.

“Jesse Marsch has a lot of positive energy, lives the team spirit and does a lot to further strengthen this feeling,” Mintzlaff said.