Explosive message: Nagelsmann announces radical European Championship plans

National team - Explosive message: Nagelsmann announces radical European Championship plans

There was nothing contemplative about Julian Nagelsmann 's Christmas message. And it was certainly ringing in the ears of many a national team player at midnight.

In order to save his European Championship mission, which had been jeopardized by the painful November defeats against Turkey and in Austria, the national coach set "everything to zero" in an unprecedented manner in the spotlight of the ZDF "Sportstudio" just six months before the kick-off of the home tournament. Drastic measures as early as March

Specifically: Joshua Kimmich on the right in the back four after a long period of hesitation, Manuel Neuer back in goal in March, Ilkay Gündogan from the six to the center, Kai Havertz never again as a full-back after a failed experiment and then a possible European Championship comeback by former champion Toni Kroos as the next representative of the strong and growing over-30s group. These were the surprisingly open personnel announcements made by Nagelsmann.

Yet the 36-year-old supposedly wanted to talk about structures rather than names, as he announced at the start of an already memorable studio appearance. The plan in Advent was obviously a completely different one, as Nagelsmann was so frank when he revealed the various personnel details 181 days before the start of the European Championship and the opening match against Scotland.

Basically, the following also applies: With the European Championship tests in France (March 23) and against the Netherlands (March 26), defensive stability and no longer aerial soccer is what counts. "We simply had a touch too many attack-minded players and too few defensive-minded players in the last few games," said Nagelsmann. However, the core message of the young national coach was: I am the boss, I make the decisions - and I make the right decisions. Soccer Germany shouldn't worry. The home European Championships are in good hands with me.

"I knew that it would be difficult, that it would be a big task - and that it would be a very exciting task and that we could do it. That we can all master it together, the team, the coaching team," Nagelsmann said verbatim. However, the talk at Lerchenberg in Mainz also made it clear that the national coach is still unfamiliar with the specifics of the job. He lacks the day-to-day activities of a club coach. The only advantage of the DFB job is the opportunity to rebuild the squad. And Nagelsmann now wants to make use of this. So what do the personnel measures mean?

The case of Kimmich

The Bayern professional was forewarned. Of course he had spoken to Joshua Kimmich before his TV appearance, Nagelsmann assured him. Otherwise the 28-year-old would have been caught cold by the news. Kimmich's demotion from the six to the right-back position feels like a demotion. But the move makes sense for everyone. The position has been poorly filled for a long time and Kimmich can play it. Bayern won the Champions League with him in 2020. "By making a small adjustment, it's not a 180-degree change, Josh is also a candidate in this position," said Nagelsmann. The prominent role model: European Championship tournament director Philipp Lahm at the 2014 World Cup victory.

The Kroos plan

106 games for Germany. Still a top performer at Real Madrid. Opinionated and tactically world-class anyway. Why should Nagelsmann do without someone like Toni Kroos? The comeback idea put forward by Real defender Antonio Rüdiger has probably been maturing in Nagelsmann's mind for some time. A stabilizer in the defensive center is urgently needed anyway. Nagelsmann admitted that the idea was "interesting" and faltered when asked whether talks had already taken place. "You have to think about all players who have a German passport, I think that's my job," he said. Trend: Kroos will be back in March for the first time since 2021

The role of Gündogan

That no longer sounded like a free pass for the captain. But Nagelsmann definitely wants to see Ilkay Gündogan further forward in the future, as one of three ten-men. "He simply has a bit more freedom there. He's a player with goal threat and a good nose for goal," said Nagelsmann. Conversely, defensive types are needed in the six-man position. Kroos possibly as a strategist, Pascal Groß as a suitable counterpart. And highly praised characters such as Robert Andrich or Grischa Prömel as back-ups. Nagelsmann did not talk about Leon Goretzka.

The goalkeeping duel

After these words, Marc-André ter Stegen's back may not just be hurting. Because even without a very clear statement, it became clear: Manuel Neuer is back in pole position in the duel for the number one spot. If the European Championship kicked off in March, the record goalkeeper would certainly be in goal for his eighth major tournament in a row. "If everything continues as it currently seems to be heading towards March, then that's what it will come down to," said Nagelsmann for the time being, referring only to Neuer's role in the next test matches after an international break of over a year. Ter Stegen must first overcome the consequences of back surgery.

The many fine players

Kai Havertz received absolution. He played well as a left-back. But he will never do that again. The experiment is "over", said Nagelsmann. Due to the new defensive maxim, the Arsenal professional is once again moving forward into the oversupply of creative attacking players. There is even less space there due to Gündogan's promotion. The young stars Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala also have to fight for regular places. Leroy Sané is suspended for the time being following his red card in Vienna. Who plays always depends on the opponent, said Nagelsmann. For Julian Brandt and Serge Gnabry, a place in the squad for the European Championship could even be tight.

The possible European Championship squad (age at the start of the tournament):

Neuer (38) - Kimmich (29), Rüdiger (31), Hummels (35), Gosens (29) - Groß (32), Kroos (34) - Sané (28), Gündogan (33), Musiala (21) - Füllkrug (31)