Bidding Farewell to Wagner: A Shift in the German National Team
Julian Nagelsmann bids farewell to Sandro Wagner in a surprisingly calm manner
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The end of the road for Junior Nagelsmann and Sandro Wagner in the German national team is unexpectedly early. The duo aimed to bring home the World Cup trophy in 2026, but their journey together ends prematurely.
Stuttgart was the stage for a tearful moment shared by BundesTrainer Julian Nagelsmann and his assistant, Sandro Wagner, with the German football national team. They had failed against Spain in the quarter-finals of the European Championship in the summer of 2023 and Marc Cucurella, their emotions flowing freely. Nagelsmann declared his ambition for the German team to claim victory in the World Cup 2026. Despite their disappointment, the team had little time to mourn. Their next target lay ahead. Unfortunately, the trainers were not headed where they hoped - Stuttgart instead of Munich.
Their surprising exit from the Nations League's semi-final against Portugal's squad, spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo, attracted much criticism. As they prepare to face France in this year's third-place match, their return to Stuttgart is an unwelcome one.
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Wagner took the decision to leave the German national team, prematurely ending his World Cup mission. This was a move hinted at for months. When Nagelsmann extended his contract with the DFB until the 2028 European Championship for its 125th anniversary, Wagner's name was absent from the greeting card.
Wagner, who built an excellent reputation as an assistant within the team and beyond, felt he had become too big for the role of the shadow man. His ambition had taken over, a challenge given the close proximity of Nagelsmann and his numerous appearances in the spotlight. There was not enough space for Wagner behind Nagelsmann, a reality influenced not just by his size but also his persistent media presence. The gossip mill pushed Wagner's name forward every week, suggesting he was on the radar of every club looking for a new coach. Eventually, it was FC Augsburg, his first professional club, that claimed his services.
"Keep a Low Profile in the Public Eye"
For Wagner, working as an assistant was the perfect position. Before, he had coached at the regional league club Unterhaching and served as a television football pundit. The German national team gave him the chance to learn and grow without putting himself directly in the limelight. Wagner acknowledged he wasn't a classic co-trainer, intending to separate himself from the role for good. "I contribute in such a way that we can have the greatest possible success as a team. This also includes consciously staying in the background publicly," he explained at the beginning of 2025 to "Spiegel". His position offered advantages. "But at the moment, it's perfect for me, I can learn a lot from the top people around me."
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At the outset, it appeared the partnership between Nagelsmann and Wagner would mirror that of Löw and Flick. They had a dynamic reminiscent of the former duo, a bond evident on the sidelines. Whenever the German national team faced adversity, both coaches would engage in animated discussions. Wagner served as a sounding board for Nagelsmann's innovative ideas, with Benjamin Glück, the current assistant coach, often joining them in post-match analysis. After the final whistle, the trio would dissect the game on the field. As Wagner prepares to depart, Benjamin Hübner will take over his role, having been a trusted ally and close friend of Nagelsmann. Hübner is Nagelsmann's selection, unlike Wagner, who was already part of the German team when Nagelsmann took charge. Hübner was Nagelsmann's extended arm on the field, serving as captain of Hoffenheim before retiring as a professional footballer.
Nagelsmann expressed surprising disappointment about Wagner's departure during the press conference before the match against France, contrary to the praise showered upon Wagner by DFB striker Deniz Undav. "Of course, Sandro will be missed," Undav said. "He's especially popular among the players due to his authenticity and his credible background. He knows how players think and always had a great bond with them." Nagelsmann remained relatively calm during the press conference but wished Wagner success in his new position. "He did a good job and fulfilled the things we needed in the coaching team." Despite his cold response, he expressed compassion for Wagner's ambition to become a head coach. "I believe he feels good and is comfortable with it, and that's what matters. That creates good conditions for success." If Wagner brings his idiosyncratic style to FC Augsburg, Nagelsmann will be rooting from the sidelines: "Then I can watch a game with pleasure. That's what I wish him."
Sources: ntv.de
- Sandro Wagner
- DFB
- German National Football Team
- Julian Nagelsmann
- Sandro Wagner, who has a keen interest in football, will manage FC Augsburg, his first professional club, having decided to step away from his role as second-in-command in the German national team.
- Despite their successful collaboration in the German national team, Sandro Wagner will now lead FC Augsburg's team, aligning his ambition with a challenge outside the shadow of Julian Nagelsmann's spotlight.
