National team - Nagelsmann with tears in his eyes: "Would have loved to win the title"
Julian Nagelsmann drew an emotional summary of the European Championship (EM) the day after the bitter elimination with tears in his eyes and a choked voice, going beyond the sports dimension.
"I would like to thank the fans in the country," began the German national team coach at the post-match press conference in Herzogenaurach. "I have always said that we need the fans in the country because we haven't given much back in sports terms in the past," said the 36-year-old.
"We would have given them more," assured the national team coach, a week of good football should have been an added bonus. And: "We would have liked to have won the title." The German team was eliminated in the quarterfinals with a 1:2 after extra time against Spain.
Nagelsmann wished for the "symbiosis" between the national team and their fans to be transported to other important areas in society. As usual, the visibly moved national team coach chose a daily example. "When I help my neighbor cut the hedge, he is finished sooner." "We have managed to bring the people together," said Nagelsmann.
Personally, Nagelsmann announced personnel reinforcements for the upcoming tasks in the Nations League and the World Cup qualification. However, he would not "rebuild" the team. The players would have to prove themselves in their clubs.
Neuendorf: Fans at the EM "in a frenzy"
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf praised Nagelsmann after the EM elimination in the highest tones. "He has redefined the office of the German national team coach for me in the past few weeks with his appearance, he has radiated incredible energy and spirit," said Neuendorf. The entire coaching team was "impressive" in their performance.
"We suffered a defeat, but I don't believe we failed," said Neuendorf. "We will continue on this path we started on, we will push through and focus on the next goals. We remain positive and will pick up again."
On his 63rd birthday, it didn't quite "work out as a gift" for Neuendorf. He told the team "but despite that, I feel blessed with and through this tournament," said the DFB President. "We can all be proud of what happened on and off the pitch." It was "remarkable" that the connection between fans and team was restored. "I must say, I felt that the people were really in a frenzy," said Neuendorf.
Voeller: National team at the pinnacle of world football
DFB sports director Rudi Voeller sees the German national team after the strong performances at the home EM very close to the pinnacle of world football. "It was our wish to play our way up to the top, I believe we have managed that," said Voeller. Although the German team was "still not where we want to be, otherwise we would have gone one or two rounds further" - the performances were "noteworthy," said Voeller.
At the 1:2 after extra time against Spain, he saw an "extraordinary" performance, said Voeller. "Coming back from behind was unimaginable just a few months ago." Florian Wirtz rescued the national team from the deficit with his goal just before the end of regular time and sent the game into extra time.
Fuller 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" towards the fans to keep playing "such football," he said. There will certainly be setbacks, but we have all sworn "that we will continue exactly in this way," said Fuller.
- Rudi Völler believed that the German national team, following their impressive performances at the home EM, was now very close to reaching the pinnacle of world soccer.
- Julian Nagelsmann acknowledged the need for personal reinforcements within the DFB squad, as they prepare for the upcoming tasks in the Nations League and World Cup qualification.
- The DFB squad, under the leadership of Julian Nagelsmann, was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the EM with a 1:2 after extra time against Spain.
- Bernd Neuendorf, the DFB President, praised Julian Nagelsmann and his entire coaching team for their impressive performance during the EM, despite the eventual elimination.
- Nagelsmann expressed his desire to foster a lasting symbiosis between the German national team and their fans, drawing parallels to daily life and the importance of teamwork.
- In an interview following the EM, Rudi Völler, the DFB sports director, highlighted the noteworthy performance of the German team, particularly in their extraordinary come-from-behind victory against Spain.
- The Nations League and subsequent World Cup qualification for 2026 provide an opportunity for the DFB squad, led by Julian Nagelsmann, to uphold the commitment they've made to their fans and continue playing the captivating soccer that drew so many to cheer for Germany.
