A Shocking Goodbye: Sandro Wagner Bids Farewell to DFB and Julian Nagelsmann
Julian Nagelsmann bids farewell to Sandro Wagner in a surprisingly calm manner.
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After a tumultuous run with Germany's national football team under Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann, Sandro Wagner's journey comes to an earlier-than-expected end. This Sunday, they return to Stuttgart for the third-place match against France, a game that seems insignificant compared to the team shakeup.
In Stuttgart last summer, Nagelsmann and Wagner felt the brutal sting of defeat against Spain in the EM quarter-finals. Tears were shed, grand plans made. Nagelsmann envisioned a World Cup win in 2026. But their dream duo's road together ends a year ahead of schedule.
Nagelsmann's Right-Hand Man Steps Aside
This Sunday afternoon, the DFB team, Nagelsmann, and Wagner face France, a game many find unworthy of their attention. But it's also a time to bid farewell to Wagner, who announced his premature departure from the World Cup mission. Rumors of Wagner's exit had been circulating for months, and his name was mysteriously absent from a greeting card when Nagelsmann was given a contract extension until the 2028 European Championship.
Wagner, who had earned a stellar reputation within the team, felt he had outgrown his role as a "shadow man." He yearned for more, and there wasn't much room for advancement behind Nagelsmann. Wagner found himself linked to various clubs weekly in the rumor mill. In the end, it was FC Augsburg, his first professional station, that secured his services.
A Perfect Fit, But Only for a Limited Time
For Wagner, working as Nagelsmann's assistant was the ideal job. Before joining the DFB, he was a regional league coach and a vocal TV expert. With the national team, he could learn and experiment without receiving much attention. He had no desire to be a lifelong co-trainer, as he explained to "Der Spiegel" at the beginning of the year. "I contribute in a way that we can achieve the greatest possible success as a group. That also includes consciously staying in the background publicly."
Nagelsmann and Wagner seemed like a match made in heaven when they took over. They shared a similar dynamic to Joachim Löw and Hansi Flick. They seldom discussed their relationship publicly, but their bond was clear on the sidelines. Whenever the German national team needed help, Nagelsmann and Wagner engaged in animated discussions on the bench. Wagner acted as Nagelsmann's sparring partner, helping the creative head coach navigate the challenges.
"I Wish Him All the Best"
Deniz Undav, a striker for the DFB, was saddened by Wagner's departure. Wagner was popular among the players, known for his authenticity, and his background made his story believable. "He knows how players think. He was a high-level player himself. He always had a good connection with the players," Undav explained. "Sandro knows a lot about football. He knows what he needs to do. He has learned a lot."
Nagelsmann was less emotional about Wagner's decision, although he had previously expressed understanding for Wagner's desire to become a head coach. He "respects his decision." On Saturday evening, Nagelsmann remained composed, stating, "He did a good job and fulfilled the roles we needed in the coaching team." This seemed surprisingly cold. "I wish him all the best," Nagelsmann said, avoiding a detailed evaluation of Wagner's step. "I believe he feels good and comfortable with it, that's the most important thing. That creates good conditions for success." If Wagner manages to make FC Augsburg play attractive football, "I'll benefit from that too," Nagelsmann added, having once played and coached for the Bavarian Swabians.
Source: ntv.de
- Sandro Wagner
- DFB
- German National Football Team
- Julian Nagelsmann
Interesting Notes:
- Sandro Wagner initially joined the DFB team in September 2023 as an assistant to Hannes Wolf, coaching the U20 team.
- In January 2024, Wagner began his football coach training to prepare for a head coaching role.
- After Hansi Flick's unsuccessful tenure as national coach ended, Wagner took over the national team alongside Rudi Völler and Wolf for a test match against France in September 2023, which the team won 2:1.
- Wagner signed a three-year deal with FC Augsburg in his new role as head coach.
- Wagner and Nagelsmann had a strong working relationship, often engaging in discussions on the sidelines during tough games to help navigate challenges.
- Wagner was popular among the DFB players and was known for his authenticity and ability to connect with them.
- Nagelsmann acknowledged Wagner's contributions to the coaching team and wished him good luck in his future endeavors with FC Augsburg.
In the world of German football, Sandro Wagner's departure from Julian Nagelsmann's coaching team of the national team is a significant development. Despite their shared passion for sports, specifically football, their professional journey together concludes prematurely as Wagner steps into a head coaching role at FC Augsburg, a club where both he and Nagelsmann previously played.
