Saying Goodbye to the DFB: Julian Nagelsmann and Sandro Wagner's Unexpected Parting
Nagelsmann Bids Farewell to Wagner in a Surprisingly Calm Manner
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Julian Nagelsmann, the Bundestrainer, and his assistant Sandro Wagner's most emotional hour with the German national football team came in Stuttgart during the 2024 European Championship quarter-finals against Spain. Though they fell short, there were passionate plans for the 2026 World Cup. Germany's footballers could only muster brief moments of disappointment, as the next step loomed. Regrettably, this path for Nagelsmann and Wagner ends a year earlier than planned.
This Sunday at 3 PM (on RTL, DAZN, and live ticker on ntv.de), the DFB team, Nagelsmann, and Wagner reconvene in Stuttgart. They would have preferred to stay in Munich, where they had lost the Nations League semi-final against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portuguese team a few days prior and faced criticism. Now they're only focused on the third-place match against the French, who seem less enthusiastic about the encounter.
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Germany is eager to make amends after their disappointing performance against Portugal in the Nations League. However, a more significant story looms as the national team says farewell to Sandro Wagner, who prematurely terminates the announced World Cup mission. For weeks, this move had been hinted at, and Nagelsmann's surprising absence from the greeting card on his contract extension was a clue.
Wagner, a popular figure within the team and beyond, outgrew his role as an assistant coach. He felt that he was too big for the shadow position, given Nagelsmann's dominance and constant media attention. Weekly rumors touted Wagner as a potential target for various clubs. In the end, it was surprising FC Augsburg, his first professional club, where he would rekindle his coaching career as the head coach.
"Actively Remain Behind the Scenes"
For Wagner, the assistant coach position under Nagelsmann was a perfect opportunity. Prior, he had been a trainer at the regional league club Unterhaching and a prominent TV expert. With the DFB team, he could explore new techniques and ideas without overshadowing the main coach. Wagner saw himself as a lifelong coach but not just a traditional assistant. In an interview with "Der Spiegel," he explained, "I contribute such that we can achieve the greatest possible success as a group. That also includes deliberately staying behind the scenes publicly." His approach has its advantages. "But currently, it suits me perfectly; I can learn a lot from the top people around me."
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At first, Nagelsmann and Wagner appeared to be an ideal pair when they took over. They seemed to have found a groove similar to Joachim Löw and Hansi Flick. They seldom spoke publicly about their dynamic, but their on-field interactions during difficult moments, such as the quarter-final against Spain in the Euro or the San Siro match against Italy, demonstrated their mutual support. Wagner served as Nagelsmann's sounding board, and they frequently dissected matches after the final whistle with Benjamin Glück, their third team member. In the future, Benjamin Hübner will take over this role, replacing Wagner. Hübner is a close confidant of Nagelsmann and knows him well. He captained Hoffenheim and acted as Nagelsmann's extended arm on the field. He is Nagelsmann's top choice, unlike Wagner, who was there from the beginning. Wagner returned to the DFB in the summer of 2023 as assistant to Hannes Wolf with the U20 team. Following Hansi Flick's unsuccessful tenure, Wagner took charge, teaming up with sporting director Rudi Völler and Wolf for a friendly against France in September 2023 (2:1). He continued alongside Nagelsmann.
"He Did a Fine Job"
Nagelsmann's comments about Wagner were relatively muted, lacking warmth, and even appearing slightly disappointed—a stark contrast to DFB striker Deniz Undav's words about Wagner. Undav affectionately stated, "Of course, Sandro will be missed. Of course, we'll miss Sandro." Wagner enjoyed great popularity among the players due to his authenticity and credible background. "He understands players' minds. He was a high-level player himself; he always maintained a good rapport with the players," Undav elaborated. "Sandro knows a lot about football. He understands what he's doing. His learning curve has been impressive." Nagelsmann, however, remained stoic during the press conference before the match against France, although he voiced his understanding of Wagner's career aspirations at a previous engagement[5].
When asked for his thoughts on Wagner's decision, Nagelsmann simply responded, "He did a fine job and fulfilled the roles required in the coaching team." While he wished Wagner well, there was no analysis of Wagner's decision in detail. "I believe he feels good and comfortable with it, and that's what matters most. It creates the ideal conditions for success," Nagelsmann concluded, hinting that he could still reap the benefits of Wagner's success with FC Augsburg. If the FCA can play attractive football, Nagelsmann will enjoy watching the games with pleasure. "That's what I wish him."
Source: ntv.de
- Sandro Wagner
- DFB
- National Team
- Julian Nagelsmann
- Sandro Wagner, who had been considering a move towards a head coach position for some time, has decided to pursue his ambition by taking up the head coaching role at FC Augsburg, marking his first opportunity in the Bundesliga.
- Despite the unexpected early end to his tenure as Julian Nagelsmann's assistant, Wagner's contributions to the German national team were recognized and praised by Nagelsmann.
