Only a few people knew Julian Nagelsmann. Tough EM measures are part of the job. Insights into the inner life after a stroke of fate show the national coach from a vulnerable side.
Toni Kroos’ comeback as leader, Joshua Kimmich’s reassignment as a “servant” and a disastrous report for the entire national team: 112 days before the European Championship kick-off, Julian Nagelsmann explained his emergency measures for the home tournament in pithy words. Much more than his ruthless analysis of the state of the football nation or one or two swipes at his ex-employer FC Bayern Munich, the national coach impressed with deep insights into his inner life after his father’s suicide. The 36-year-old also shows himself to be a vulnerable person in a way that has never been seen before.
“I often think back to that day,” said Nagelsmann in a “Spiegel” interview. “That was difficult. My dad didn’t leave a farewell letter, there was no explanation,” Nagelsmann said of his memories. As a 20-year-old, he had to worry about many things in addition to his own grief. “Everyday things that you don’t really give a thought to at that age. I had to make serious decisions, also to relieve the burden on my mother, who suddenly lived in a big house without her partner. With all her memories,” said Nagelsmann.
Close father-son relationship
He had a very good and close relationship with his father, who instilled in him his love of the mountains and nature. The father worked for the Federal Intelligence Service and was therefore not even allowed to talk to the family about his work. “He was courageous. He had to make decisions again and again at work, knowing that the whole plan could go wrong. The worst thing in life is when you don’t make decisions,” said Nagelsmann.
Perhaps – or so it sounds from the youngest German national coach – his father’s traits will now help him in his own professional life on the often merciless show stage of professional football. “I think I took a lot from him. As a coach, I don’t worry so much about what people think of me or my decisions,” said Nagelsmann.
And the national coach now has to make a series of decisions – even unpopular ones. Nagelsmann classifies the sporting situation as precarious. “The senior national team has been on the rocks in terms of sport for years. There hasn’t been anything recently that could give us hope that we’ll get to the semi-finals,” said the national coach. What a wad for his staff.
Surprises in the European Championship squad
The return of veteran Kroos (34) as the second Rio world champion after Mats Hummels (35), whom Nagelsmann reactivated in October, will not be the last personnel measure to save the hoped-for summer fairy tale Part II. “We don’t have to invite ten new players, but one or two will definitely not be nominated who many people think will definitely be there,” said Nagelsmann. Possible candidates for cancellation? He didn’t name them. But actors like Niklas Süle, Leon Goretzka, Julian Brandt or Jonas Hoffmann or possibly old master Thomas Müller have been forewarned.
After the bitter test defeats in November against Turkey (2:3) and in Austria (0:2), a change in mentality must take place. Afterwards he realized that he had imagined the job as national coach to be a little different. “Against Austria we had seven or eight players on the pitch who were defined more by their special abilities as footballers and less by a special mentality. We have to change this distribution in the starting eleven,” said the 36-year-old.
Kroos should lead the way with his experience. His characteristic of always polarizing people could be a risk. But the national coach is not afraid of hierarchical discord. “I spoke to many players on the phone in advance and listened carefully to see if anyone might have a problem with Kroos. On the contrary! Everyone was very positive.”
Understand football as work
Basically, after three tournament disappointments with the group knockout at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and the round of 16 exit at the 2021 European Championships, time is necessary to reflect. “We have to stop thinking about status. We tell ourselves that Germany is a top football nation, even though we have been experiencing failures for years. That’s not how we get back on the road to success. We have to finally start working on football again,” demanded Nagelsmann.
He named Pacal Groß (32) from Brighton & Hove Albion as the ideal type. So he could be Kroos’ next man at headquarters in the EM plan. In addition to Kroos, Hummels, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (37), captain Ikay Gündogan (33) and Niclas Füllkrug (31), he would be another player 30 plus in the same decade of life as the national coach.
In addition to the return of Rio world champion Kroos, Kimmich (29) has also been moved from midfield to the right wing-back position. And Nagelsmann’s words cannot completely erase the impression of a sentencing. “In the national team you have to be subordinate. You are a servant for your country. Kimmich is that,” said Nagelsmann about the Bayern professional, who has long since become a symbol of the 1995/96 generation, who (so far) have high expectations. not fulfilled.
Basketball world champion as a role model
Before the European Championships, the national coach wants to give each player a clear requirements profile. As an example, he cited the national basketball team, which sensationally became world champions in 2023. “They did an outstanding job and I will take on this clear distribution of roles. It is helpful if every player knows exactly where they stand,” said Nagelsmann.
Basically, he doesn’t just define European Championship success by placement. “But I believe that if we play four or five good games, tear ourselves apart, but then are eliminated in the quarter-finals against a top nation, it can still be a good European Championship for football Germany,” said Nagelsmann.
The last international test matches before the squad nomination are on March 23rd in France and three days later in Frankfurt against the Netherlands. Two more tests are planned immediately before the European Championships. At the tournament, the DFB team will face Scotland (June 14th), Hungary (June 19th) and Switzerland (June 23rd) as hosts in Group A.