National team
Völler contract as a signal for Nagelsmann: talks are ongoing
The German Football Association and Rudi Völler have extended their cooperation ahead of schedule. photo
© Federico Gambarini/dpa
Rudi Völler has extended his contract as DFB sports director. What does this mean for Julian Nagelsmann’s future? Völler and the DFB boss are intensifying their courtship for the national coach.
After his own contract extension with the DFB Rudi Völler confirmed ongoing negotiations with Julian Nagelsmann to continue his work as national coach.
“We would be happy if we could manage that, but we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. It’s of course a difficult decision for Julian Nagelsmann in the next few weeks, but we are of course in discussions, of course,” said Völler after the entry High-ranking DFB delegation with Nagelsmann in the Golden Book of the city of Düsseldorf. Shortly before, it was announced that the 63-year-old would remain DFB sports director until the 2026 World Cup.
For association president Bernd Neuendorf, the signature of the sports director until the tournament in North America is an important sign, apparently also for the national coaching staff, which continues to smolder shortly before the start of the home European Championship. “I think it’s a signal to the landscape and from the DFB as a whole that we would like to continue to work together in this constellation as we currently have it, would like to work together, also towards the tournament after next, the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.”
DFB expresses interest in extension with Nagelsmann
Neuendorf did not mention Nagelsmann’s name in this context, but the questions in the narrow hallway of Düsseldorf City Hall were of course primarily about the future of Völler and Nagelsmann at the DFB. “We definitely have a building block with Rudi, that’s very important. The collaboration is right,” said Neuendorf.
Nagelsmann’s contract, who succeeded Hansi Flick as national coach last September, ends after the European Championships in July. Before the successful March international matches in France (2:0) and against the Netherlands (2:1), the 36-year-old spoke unusually openly about his future plans and emphasized that he would also sign with a club before the European Championships for the period after the tournament if he gets a good offer. The DFB then expressed its intention to extend the contract. Nagelsmann hasn’t ruled this out either.
Nagelsmann did not comment at the meeting in Düsseldorf town hall. In the afternoon, the national coach will take part in the UEFA workshop for the 24 European Championship participants in Düsseldorf. UEFA is also planning a press event before a joint dinner.