National coach is waiting for an offer
Nagelsmann gives the DFB something that has been missing for a long time
March 25, 2024, 8:05 a.m
Thanks to the success in France, fans of the German national soccer team are clearly growing excited about the home European Championship. National coach Julian Nagelsmann is the face of this euphoria – and would obviously like to know before the tournament what will happen afterwards.
On his triumphant return to a newly ignited football country, Julian Nagelsmann literally floated above the clouds. Finally EM euphoria! On the plane from Lyon to Frankfurt after the magnificent gala night with the runner-up world champions, the national coach saw all his plans come to fruition. He had already sent his most important message with the unbridled self-confidence of a dragon slayer: Well, dear DFB, I would then be ready for a contract offer!
Despite all the vows of love, President Bernd Neuendorf has not yet made that suggestion to the hope of a football nation that has been starving for so long. But, said Nagelsmann after the brilliant 2-0 (1-0) against France, it would be “the first step” on the way to a shared future beyond the home European Championships – although there is “no guarantee” that it will actually be would stay. This could certainly be interpreted as meaning that Nagelsmann is increasing the pace here too.
This wonderful spring evening provided plenty of compelling arguments. The sensational comeback of the magical maestro Toni Kroos as Captain Cool, the brilliantly designed lightning goal with a bang effect by magician Florian Wirtz, plus a lot of play and “joie de vivre” (Nagelsmann), where in the gray November there was still uncertainty and sadness. All of this is garnished with an electrifying atmosphere of optimism for the weaned fan soul.
“There isn’t enough time for all the praise”
“That was one of the best things we’ve played in recent years,” enthused sports director Rudi Völler, “it was incredibly fun.” Nagelsmann said in shock: “Compliments to the team, it was nice to watch.” Even the great Didier Deschamps, world champion coach in 2018, bowed to the giant who had suddenly woken up after leaden years: “Bravo for the German team!”
The fireworks with fog in French national colors were barely over when the plans ignited like rockets: Kroos passed, Wirtz shot – after eight seconds, the fastest goal in German international history was perfect. “A big compliment” to standard trainer Mads Buttgereit, said Nagelsmann about the person who came up with the idea, “that’s not an everyday occurrence.” Wirtz implemented it “sensationally well,” and the shooter found his first international goal “outstanding.”
Like the entire German game in only their third victory in France, in which the ball magnet Kroos stood out. The man, who, according to Völler, “has been peeing ice cubes since he was 18,” played exactly like that: with what felt like a resting heart rate of 10, like a Buddhist monk with the spirituality of Zen. “Toni Kroos was unbelievable!” enthused Nagelsmann. “There isn’t enough time for all the praise,” said Jamal Musiala.
Nagelsmann gives his footballers courage
The Bayern youngster, Wirtz and the nine Kai Havertz, who scored 0-2 after a delightful interplay from the three-leaf clover, created a magical offensive triangle. With Robert Andrich, the sought-after “worker” seems to have been found alongside Kroos, and the defense center with Antonio Rüdiger and Jonathan Tah is also coming together better and better. Joshua Kimmich’s move to the right turned out to be the right one, while debutant Maximilian Mittelstädt proved to be a good tournament alternative to the left.
In short: Three months before the opening game against Scotland, Nagelsmann found his European Championship team, they passed the toughest possible test against the biggest favorites so far with flying colors. If no one gets injured, only Manuel Neuer, who is missing this time, would join this exciting team. Nagelsmann indicated this when he spoke of the clear distribution of roles. There doesn’t even seem to be room for once established stars like Leroy Sané or Serge Gnabry; a real winger is no longer part of the trident’s tactics.
“Something big is happening,” said Mittelstädt. Niclas Füllkrug, although a victim of the renovation work, praised the “healthy hierarchy” in the team, which captain İlkay Gündoğan leads more effectively in an offensive role. Havertz identified another big difference from the miserable performances of previous years: “Nobody hid, everyone dared to get the ball.” There it is, the courage that Nagelsmann demanded.
This is what counts in the classic against the Netherlands on Tuesday (8.45 p.m./RTL and in the live ticker at ntv.de) to be shown again in Frankfurt. “We have set the indicator towards the home European Championship,” said Nagelsmann, “it would be good if we keep pushing.” And the contract history? “It’s not like there has to be an offer at 9:30 p.m. tomorrow, otherwise I’ll leave,” he said. Anyone who listened to him when he raved about his soul mateship with Völler can assume: This duo, this eleven, has everything for a great future – above the clouds.