Countdown to the World Cup: Nagelsmann Faces His First Hurdle as National Coach
Coach Nagelsmann's initial wrong move during his tenure
Get your football fix today! (3:00 PM/RTL, DAZN, ntv.de live ticker) The World Cup is just around the corner, and national coach Julian Nagelsmann doesn't have much time left to answer pressing questions. As we gear up for the third-place match against France, here's what you need to know.
After a whirlwind year, Nagelsmann is back in familiar territory. This time, amidst slightly fewer fanfare and a new face by his side - Pascal Groß. It's been nearly eleven months since Nagelsmann last stood in the Stuttgart football arena's press room. That fateful day, on July 5, 2024, saw Germany's elimination against Spain in a heart-wrenching extra-time, 1:2. Nagelsmann made a big speech then, promising unity within his team and the nation, with dreams of winning the World Cup in two years.
Fast-forward to today, and Nagelsmann isn't talking about lofty dreams, but rather the upcoming Nations League third-place match and the French national football team. They're touted as the vice-world champion, boasting an impressive pool of fast, agile central defenders. Nagelsmann calls their performance density "brutal."
A Step in the Right Direction
Sure, the grass always seems greener on the other side. But the reality is quite different. Before the Nations League final tournament, Nagelsmann knew he wouldn't have numerous big names in his team. The list of absentees is enough to fill out almost a starting lineup: Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Antonio Rüdiger, Angelo Stiller, Nico Schlotterbeck, Tim Kleindienst, Yann Aurel Bisseck.
Given the many absences, Nagelsmann can only dream of French conditions. "We don't have any central defenders who can run 36 km/h," says Nagelsmann. With no magic at his disposal, he's been forced to adjust the playing style. For the third-place match, it's about preventing the French speedsters from getting into the game at all.
However, this isn't something new. Every national coach has to make do with what they have. Nagelsmann has already demonstrated his ability to do so. He revitalized the German national team a year and a half ago, leading them to the quarterfinals of the European Championship in their host country. Nagelsmann's secret weapon: he tends to focus on what he has - not what he lacks.
The Road Ahead
While the German team has made progress, the real question lies in whether what's available to the national team coach is enough for his ideas. The World Cup title Nagelsmann is determined to win will require addressing some structural concerns.
The central axis in the midfield is still searching for its regular lineup, with key players like Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlovic yet to solidify their positions. With other top nations boasting deep benches, Germany needs to bolster its midfield to compete effectively against the best.
Changing of the Guard
Nagelsmann has less than a year to clear up these questions. The World Cup qualifiers start in September, and a new problem looms: facing Luxembourg, Slovakia, and Northern Ireland. Until the next meaningful performance assessment, valuable time will pass once again.
Meanwhile, there's a shakeup in the coaching team. After 23 games, assistant Sandro Wagner is leaving to become the head coach of FC Augsburg, to be replaced by Benjamin Hübner, a Nagelsmann confidant.
This latest challenge presents itself just before the holiday season. A third-place match? It's easy to anticipate motivation issues. Nagelsmann, however, remains unperturbed. "It's still the German national football A-team," he remarks in the Stuttgart Arena. "If I always have to motivate them in the locker room, then I need to change something in the squad. [Football] is something beautiful that we do. No one has to dig a field by hand."
With a disappointing defeat, the DFB team might leave for the summer with unwanted debates. And who wants that?
- In the midst of Nagelsmann's preparations for the third-place match against France, it's crucial to also address the ongoing adjustments in the employment policy within the German national football team, considering theabsence of key players due to various reasons.
- As Nagelsmann navigates through the challenges posed by the French team's speed and the ongoing personnel changes, one can't help but draw parallels to community policies within sports, where flexibility and adaptability are key to success, just like in football.
