Agency Report –
Munich – Germany men’s coach Julian Nagelsmann has extended his contract until 2028, the German Football Federation (DFB) said on Friday, potentially keeping him in charge for the next European Championship.
“We have all created something together – fans, team and coaching team – that we now want to successfully develop further. We want to win titles together,” he said in a statement.
Former Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim coach Nagelsmann, still only 37, took over on a short-term deal until the home Euro 2024 when Hansi Flick was sacked in 2023.
He admitted on Friday that he had not planned to stay longer.
“When I joined the DFB in September 2023, I couldn’t have imagined being national coach beyond the home European Championship. Our big goal was a successful tournament,” he said.
“But I also couldn’t have imagined back then what the national team means to people in Germany. How many hearts it reaches and moves. The fantastic feedback that we all receive every day, not just me, shows us that we are on the right path together. And it’s not over yet.”
He enjoyed international management so much that he extended until the 2026 World Cup and now looks set to stay for the Euros in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Germany reached the quarter-finals in last year’s Euros, losing to eventual champions Spain late in extra-time in a tight game when a Marc Cucurella handball – overlooked by officials – could have changed everything.
They next face Italy in Nations League quarter-finals over two legs in late March as they target a first trophy since winning the 2014 World Cup.
Qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada follows later in the year and Germany will be among the favourites for glory having been also-rans ever since 2014.
Nagelsmann has been aided by the emergence of playmakers Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala as two of the world’s best young players, while he has dealt with the international retirements of Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Ilkay Gündogan and Toni Kroos without fuss.
DFB national team director Rudi Völler said: “The players and the entire DFB staff have also been inspired by Julian over the past 16 months with his infectious enthusiasm for our common goals.
“We look forward to working with Julian in the long term and with the same passion as before to realize our great sporting ambitions.”
Jürgen Klopp’s decision to move away from the touchline and sign as Red Bull’s head of global soccer – and Thomas Tuchel becoming England boss – left the door open for Nagelsmann to extend having previously won a Bundesliga title at Bayern before being surprisingly sacked.
By Klaus Bergmann
