National team - Nagelsmann as national motivator: Solving problems remains the maxim
"Human and emotional with a clear appeal for better coexistence throughout the entire country, no Bundestrainer has ever been experienced like Julian Nagelsmann. With a remarkable performance, Nagelsmann drew his personal tournament verdict after the bitter EURO elimination in an epic match against Spain, urging football fans to carry on the positive summer mood around the National Team into everyday life.
"I believe we can all make a difference, that it's not as sad as it seems and it doesn't have to be all black and white as it is being painted. We can always focus on solutions," said Nagelsmann at the post-match press conference in Herzogenaurach. As he often does, the visibly affected Bundestrainer chose a daily example. "If I help my neighbor cut the hedge, he finishes faster." This should be the motto for all.
National Team as an example for problem-solving
Instead of lamenting problems, we should seek solutions. Exactly this approach is what Nagelsmann wishes for a country he describes as being in "eternal sadness." The DFB team now stands as an example of what is possible when coming from difficult times, even though the title coup failed this time. "We would have given the fans more," assured the Bundestrainer, a week of good football should have been the bonus. And: "We would have liked to have won the title."
Nagelsmann began his speech with a "thank you to the fans" and went beyond football with his words. He was almost statesmanlike, as such fervor from top politicians had not been heard for a long time. The defeat against Spain through the late goal at the very end of extra time consumed Nagelsmann intensely on Saturday. And not only him. Many tears - also from the players - were shed in the team quarters. Deep into the night.
The players sat together for a long time - without alcohol - and spoke. The deepest desire, to play the last five minutes against Spain again, remains unfulfilled. Nagelsmann himself retreated to Franken for reflection and self-examination soon after his return. Alone, he had to process things and look for possible errors.
A completely new type of Bundestrainer
"He has redefined the role of Bundestrainer for me in the past few weeks with his appearance," said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and Sport Director Rudi Voeller. "He has radiated incredible energy and spirit," Neuendorf added on his 63rd birthday. The chairman could consider it a birthday gift to have hired a completely new type of Bundestrainer for the DFB team.
This Bundestrainer needs a little break, Nagelsmann noted. "I'm very happy that I extended. I'm also looking forward to getting back to work, but you'll have to give me a few days," said Nagelsmann. The WM 2026 is already haunting his thoughts. "A golden trophy is also quite nice," he noted, as the deepest emotions also touched him. "
It seems that there's a lot going on, if not almost everything. The mood has shifted. The national team looks much closer to the best once again. "It was our wish to play at the top of the world. I believe we have managed to do that," he said. Although the DFB selection is not yet where we want to be, otherwise we would have advanced one or two rounds further. The performances were "remarkable" nonetheless.
Further towards the World Cup
Voeller sees "a basis of good, young players" for the coming months in the Nations League and the following qualification for the WM 2026 in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. There is the "obligation" to the fans to continue playing such football. There will certainly be setbacks, but we have all sworn to keep going in the same way, said Voeller.
Nagelsmann thinks the same way. He has long since put aside his initial alienation in the job, and now enjoys and feels the allure of the German national team trainer's office. With this change, he has also laid aside his often attributed ego image. He no longer comes across as self-centered, but sees the big picture and always strives for the maximum.
Personnel, Nagelsmann announced for the upcoming sporting tasks, there will be personnel additions. However, the team will not be "rebuilt." The players must prove themselves in their clubs. The day after the game was not yet the day for concrete decisions.
No decisions on personnel yet
Nagelsmann expects that captain Ilkay Gundogan will continue to play. "Certainly, I'm happy if he continues. At the moment, I also assume that he will still be available. But that's something Ilkay will ultimately decide and also announce himself," said Nagelsmann. With the end of Toni Kroos' career, however, "a pillar is breaking off," said the national coach.
However, the DFB future of the Munich World Championship duo Manuel Neuer (38) and Thomas Mueller (34) is uncertain. "We haven't made a decision yet in which direction it will go for them," said Nagelsmann, after the German EM players had left in small buses from Herzogenaurach before Nagelsmann's words on Sunday.
Nagelsmann apparently wants to give the older and highly deserved players in the German team time for reflection and assessment during the upcoming break. "In the end, I find that such big players are also absolutely in the lead, that they also have to evaluate and decide for themselves what is best for their career," said he.
- Rudi Völler, the DFB sport director, praised Julian Nagelsmann's energetic and spirited approach as the new type of Bundestrainer, stating it had redefined the role.
- Nagelsmann expressed his gratitude towards the fans after the EURO elimination and urged them to maintain the positive summer mood around the National Team in everyday life.
- The National Team, under Nagelsmann, serves as an example of problem-solving, focusing on finding solutions instead of lamenting problems.
- After the bitter loss against Spain, Nagelsmann retreated to Franken for reflection and self-examination, seeking possible errors and looking forward to the WM 2026.
- Bernd Neuendorf, the DFB president, described Nagelsmann's performance as the national team coach as incredible, seeing it as a birthday gift for hiring a completely new type of Bundestrainer.
- The DFB squad, despite failing to win the title, has managed to come close to the top of the world in performance, with good, young players preparing for the Nations League and the following qualification for the WM 2026 in Bavaria.
- Nagelsmann announced that personnel changes will be made, but the team will not be rebuilt; players must prove their worth in their clubs before any concrete decisions are made.
