But national coach for longer
The DFB donates heart and gets Nagelsmann
By Sebastian Schneider
April 19, 2024, 5:28 p.m
The idea actually didn’t sound bad: Julian Nagelsmann takes the German national soccer team to the home European Championships and then leaves the DFB. But that is history. Something bigger grows out of the community of purpose.
It is one of the big questions in life, it fills self-help books and wall calendars alike. Heart, head or stomach: what should you listen to? If you’re looking for advice, you could simply ask Julian Nagelsmann. After weeks of speculation and rumors, he has made a decision: Nagelsmann will remain with the German national soccer team as national coach – even after the European Championship in his own country. In the end, as Nagelsmann himself says, it was a “decision of the heart” – and that in the cold football business. The question remains whether it was the right one; it is not entirely without risk.
Because on September 22nd last year, the DFB announced to the world a community of convenience that actually sounded quite good to everyone involved. The 124-year-old football association had previously relieved a national coach of his duties for the first time in its history. Hansi Flick tried to reform the DFB team through experiments, but failed. Instead, Nagelsmann should do it. The deal was this: Nagelsmann saves the all-important home European Championship, after which he will probably go back to club football.
The beginning was bumpy, there was only one win from the first four games and a lot of disappointment in terms of play. So there is little to inspire euphoria. Another solution had to be found. Nagelsmann actually delivered that: he completely turned the DFB team inside out. He broke with the old hierarchy, threw out veteran players like Leon Goretzka and convinced Real director Toni Kroos to make a comeback. Also the most important aspect: With Nagelsmann, the performance principle returned to the DFB team.
The real masterpiece
The two international matches in March, against France and the Netherlands, tested his new and radical plan. But eight seconds were enough to show that the idea worked. That’s how long it took for the first goal to be scored against France. Kroos to Wirtz, Wirtz to happiness. A new beginning, a new hope. It is Nagelsmann’s true masterpiece. He and his newly assembled team created a spirit of optimism just in time for the all-important European Championship. After the numerous tournament embarrassments (2018, 2022) and the miserable international year of 2023, there was no longer any talk about which game would be lost next, but rather which goal anthem would be used to celebrate the next goal.
And from a purely career perspective, Nagelsmann has put himself in a comfortable situation that he is giving up with the extension. Because: The spirit of optimism before the home European Championship is already his success, and no one can take that away from him. If the team were (surprisingly?) eliminated in the preliminary round, would that really damage him? Without his upheaval, it would most likely have happened anyway, one could argue. On the other hand: With a semi-final (or even the title) he could have started work at a big club as a big European Championship hero.
Nagelsmann has never made a secret of the fact that there should be a decision about his future before the tournament. And that it should be a follow-up job after the European Championships. He also left no doubt about how much he appreciates the daily coaching work: the tactical tricks, the improvement of the young players. All of this is more difficult with the part-time job with the national team. The tactical options are limited if you only see each other for a few days every few months.
And FC Bayern?
There were only two problems with returning to a club. On the one hand: Which top club only lets a coach start on July 14th (for the European Championship final)? When, ideally, most of the preparations have already been completed? Nagelsmann would have had to work in a demanding dual role. And on the other hand: Which club should it be? Borussia Dortmund, once a rumor, has just reached the Champions League semi-finals, where coach Edin Terzić seems to have his job secure.
And FC Bayern? The coach eater only left Nagelsmann a year and a half ago. Not only that: According to reports, there was also resistance within the club. It would have been a dilemma anyway. Nagelsmann plays a European Championship with Bayern players and then becomes their coach. His decision for the DFB is also a clear one against the record champions and their current state.
In the end, according to Nagelsmann, something else decided. Sure, there were only two international matches in March. Sure, the friendly games were actually about nothing. But: These March games fundamentally changed something for the national coach and the DFB. The relief was palpable after the game against the Netherlands, Nagelsmann himself spoke completely fondly of his team. The community of convenience grew into a real relationship – despite all the risks.
It is a full commitment to the DFB, which has recently been courting him fiercely and where it is at least questionable whether there was a Plan B. It’s a benefit for the association to keep someone who embodies the spirit of optimism – as long as it’s right in terms of sport. At the same time, it is a financial risk: Nagelmann’s salary will probably not be low. It may just be a coincidence that shortly after the national coach remained, the DFB executive board announced that it would sell several buildings in the old association headquarters.
By the way, a pattern can be seen. Just eleven days ago, national team director Rudi Völler extended his contract with the DFB – a big Nagelsmann advocate. At first it was also just a temporary solution. He also spoke of a “personal concern”. And, this is new at the DFB: He also spoke from his heart.