FORMER Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has been appointed as the new head coach of Germany.
The German football federation (DFB) announced the appointment today as Nagelsmann replaces Hansi Flick, incidentally the same man he took over from at Bayern Munich in 2021.
“Julian Nagelsmann is the new head coach of the Germany men’s national team and will be in charge for next summer’s European Championship,” the DFB announced today.
“The 36-year-old put pen to paper on a contract running until 31st July 2024 at the DFB-Campus in Frankfurt today. At a general meeting, the supervisory board of the DFB GmbH & Co. KG unanimously accepted the proposal from DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and sporting director Rudi Völler to select Nagelsmann as the 12th head coach in the association’s history.
“Nagelsmann will be the successor to Hansi Flick, who was relieved of his coaching duties on 10th September. Two days later, Rudi Völler, alongside DFB coaches Hannes Wolf and Sandro Wagner, oversaw a 2-1 friendly win in Dortmund against World Cup runners-up, France.”
The German federation noted that Wagner will remain as one of Nagelsmann’s assistants, along with Benjamin Glück, who was part of Nagelsmann’s coaching staff at TSG Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern.
Germany had a torrid spell under Flick, who had led Bayern to the UEFA Champions League title in 2020, the four-time world champions getting eliminated at the group stages of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
After a string of friendly losses in preparation for Germany hosting the 2024 European Championships, Flick was sacked this month, and Nagelsmann has promised to restored the team’s pride.
“We are hosting the European Championships. This is something special, and only happens every hundred years or so,” the new coach said.
“Having a strong tournament at home is the priority. I’m very much looking forward to taking up this challenge. The game in Dortmund was just the beginning. We will become a tight-knit unit over the next year.”
Bernd Neuendorf, DFB president, added: “Next year’s European Championship is extremely significant for football in Germany. We are convinced that with Julian Nagelsmann as our head coach, the national team will be able to excite the fans and play a successful tournament. Julian Nagelsmann is an exceptional coach, who is extremely motivated for this new challenge. We will now shift our focus to next summer’s tournament and give Julian Nagelsmann our full support.”
Nagelsmann’s first matches in charge will take place during a United States of America tour during the next international break.
Germany will first face the USA on October 14 in Hartford, Connecticut and three days later take on Gold Cup champions Mexico in Philadelphia.
The team’s final match of 2023 will take place on November 21 against Austria in Vienna.
[NaijaTimes]