Young, fresh, entertaining: will skater Nagelsmann breathe new life into the DFB?

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It is not definitively known how Julian Nagelsmann (36) traveled to Frankfurt airport on Monday morning. In any case, the new national coach did not have a longboard under his arm when he gave information to the assembled mass of media before the staff of the German Football Association (DFB) flew to Boston.

Image correction from the DFB

The 36-year-old is back in the public eye more than six months after his release from Bayern Munich – so much so that even the mode of transport chosen to get there provides ample material for headlines, at least on the boulevard. When Nagelsmann was introduced in September as successor to the dismissed Hansi Flick (58), the longer, wider version of a skateboard, one of Nagelsmann’s favorite means of transport (see video below from his time in Bavaria), was also discussed. Where team leader Rudi Völler (63) asks his newest employee what a longboard actually is, Nagelsmann says with a broad grin: “I’ll explain it to you later.” And creates laughter in the room.

It is an episode that shows how the DFB wants to present itself to the public: young, fresh, entertaining. After the worst crisis in its history, another elimination in the preliminary round of the World Cup in Qatar and only one victory and four defeats in 2023, the four-time world champion had to overtake Flick for the first time after a 4-way duel. 1 defeat against Japan on September 10. Resignation of national coach.

Under the 58-year-old, who won six titles in one season with Bayern Munich, the German team seemed to have lost the naturalness of winning, a trait that had become so ingrained that it was widely seen as ‘part of the German DNA’ . .” became. Confusion increased and this question buzzed around the DFB, arousing more fear than confidence: How will this team perform at the European Home Championships in 2024?

Central role for returning Hummels

When Nagelsmann stands before the media professionals in Frankfurt, the pendulum swings significantly more towards trust. This has to do with Nagelsmann’s friendly manner, but also with the project he outlines. These first two international matches under his leadership on Saturday against the USA and then on Wednesday evening against Mexico are intended to give the players the opportunity to watch the players. And over time, the team should become a homogeneous, confident unit again.

The coach explains that the soon-to-be 35-year-old Mats Hummels should also be part of the national team after a two-year absence from the national team: “Mats is excellent at building up the game and always has the courage to play balls into midfield . . He is a good coach and has good tactical insight. We need players who talk a lot, who understand my ideas and can convey them to others. He should lead the other guys with him.”

These are words that sound plausible coming from Nagelsmann. Since his unexpectedly rapid rise as Bundesliga coach in 2016 at Hoffenheim, which he saved from relegation, he has been regarded as the greatest German coaching talent. And yet there were critical voices when DFB sports director Völler, who was recently on the sidelines again at short notice against France (2-1), presented his “desirable solution”, the “lucky goal” Nagelsmann.

The trade magazine “11 Freunde” asked whether it is enough that a “meticulous tinkerer” like Nagelsmann only works with players every few months. And whether a coach whose Bayern Munich team was defensively vulnerable would really be able to stabilize a troubled German defense. Nagelsmann was “the best coach on the market, but unfortunately the coach worst suited to the task at hand.”

Lack of understanding of the location

The extent to which this estimate is correct can only be verified over time. In any case, attacking player Thomas Müller is convinced of his coach: “Julian has a lot of plans in his drawer, and I believe he will find a suitable plan for this team,” said the 34-year-old. once again part of a squad that, with 26 players, is unusually large for this team.

But Nagelsmann wants to minimize the pressure of the overseas trip and ensure that all players return to their teams fit and healthy in a week and a half. The fact that the DFB selection has to play two test matches in the US, among other things, causes misunderstanding everywhere given the already tight club schedules. The four Borussia Dortmund players will be in demand again in the Bundesliga a day after their return.

Völler says it’s good to show off before the 2026 World Cup in the US. “Such a tour can also bring a group together, and this is even more true after the coaching change.”

In Germany they dream of a ‘summer fairytale 2.0’ for the coming European championships, as Nagelsmann called it following the home football World Cup 2006. His work starts more than 6,000 kilometers from home. (SDA)

Source : Blick