Football: Julian Nagelsmann extends with the Mannschaft until the 2026 World Cup

Julian Nagelsmann (36) extended his contract as coach of the German team until the 2026 World Cup on Friday, slamming the door in the face of Bayern Munich which, according to the German press, wanted to make him its coach next season. “It’s a decision of the heart. It's a huge honor to coach the Nationalmannschaft and to be able to work with the best players in the country. Together, we want to be successful in the Euro at home,” explained Nagelsmann, quoted in the DFB press release.

Germany hosts Euro 2024 from June 14 to July 14, with an opening match between the host nation and Scotland at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Nagelsmann, whose contract with the German federation (DFB) expired after the continental tournament, decided to extend his lease at the head of the selection by two years. “After that, I look forward to taking on, together with my staff, the challenge of the World Cup,” added the Bavarian. Following the Euro, Germany will play the group stage of the 2024/25 Nations League in September, October and November, while the Europe zone qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, in Mexico and Canada, are scheduled to begin in March 2025.

At the end of September 2023, Julian Nagelsmann was called to the bedside of a dying selection. Two weeks earlier, Germany had lost against Japan at home (4-1), a setback which resulted in the sidelining of the coach at the time, Hansi Flick, a first in history of the Mannschaft. After the interim provided for a match by Rudi Völler against France (2-1 victory), the DFB had set its sights on Nagelsmann. Germany's results began to improve during the March window, with strong choices imposed by Nagelsmann, the great architect of the return to Toni Kroos' Mannschaft jersey. The victories in France (2-0) and against the Netherlands (2-1) have revived the hopes of supporters, less than three months before the opening match of Euro 2024.

“Even before the recent successes in friendly matches, we were absolutely convinced of Julian Nagelsmann. But they once again showed the enthusiasm that Julian and his team can rekindle in Germany,” underlined the sporting director of the selection, Rudi Völler, who forms a pair in osmosis with Nagelsmann. The extension of Völler in his position until the 2026 World Cup ten days ago was the beginning of an extension for Nagelsmann. His decision further complicates the task of Bayern Munich, in search of a successor to Thomas Tuchel, forced by the Bavarian management to leave in the summer of 2024, his initial contract having been reduced by one season after a series of results negative in February.

According to the German press, Bayern had first made Xabi Alonso their priority. But the 42-year-old Spaniard, under contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2026 and also a target for Liverpool, put an end to rumors of a possible departure in the summer of 2024, by announcing at the end of March that he would of course stay the Werkself bench next season. Bayern then targeted, according to German media, Julian Nagelsmann, although sidelined by Munich management a little over a year ago, at the end of March 2023, when approaching the crucial weeks of April and May. He was replaced by Thomas Tuchel, learning of Bayern's choice through the media. Among Tuchel's potential successors is the Italian coach of the English club Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi, whose name is the one mentioned most often in the media.

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