Germany has appointed Julian Nagelsmann as their new head coach, succeeding Hansi Flick, who was dismissed just nine months before hosting the European Championship, as announced by the German Football Association (DFB).
Nagelsmann, the former Bayern Munich manager, has signed a contract until the end of July next year, giving the 36-year-old the flexibility to depart after Euro 2024. Speaking about his appointment, Nagelsmann expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We have a European Championship in our own country — that’s something special.
I have a great desire to take on this challenge.” DFB president Bernd Neuendorf praised Nagelsmann as “an outstanding coach” and expressed confidence that he would lead the national team to success, both in terms of performance and inspiring the fans. Hansi Flick was let go earlier this month, becoming the first coach in German history to be dismissed.
His tenure was marred by a series of disappointing results, including a premature exit from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar following a group-stage exit and a humiliating 4-1 friendly loss to Japan in Wolfsburg. Nagelsmann, who previously succeeded Flick as Bayern coach, had been without a managerial role since his departure from the German champions in March. He had earned a reputation as a rising star in football management due to successful spells at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig.
Over the summer, Nagelsmann was linked to various top club vacancies, including English sides Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Paris Saint-Germain. During the transition period, DFB sporting director Rudi Voeller temporarily took charge for Germany’s 2-1 victory over France in Dortmund, with his primary focus being the search for a permanent successor. Nagelsmann has now assumed the role, and he sees the victory over France as “the beginning” of Germany’s journey towards Euro 2024.
Kwarteng Seth