Team Leader Wagner's Final Task Before Retirement
It's back to the soccer pitch in Herzogenaurach, with Sandro Wagner's stirring commands echoing once more. The final training, the last sessions, and the upcoming game on Sunday (3:00 PM/RTL and DAZN) marks the end of an era for Wagner, who'll be on the bench for the last time as assistant to Julian Nagelsmann. Their 23rd and final game together culminates on Sunday.
But Wagner's not sticking around for the exciting 2026 World Cup mission with the team. Instead, he's embarking on a new journey earlier than planned, slated to become the new head coach of FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga.
The joint project with Nagelsmann, initially kickstarted with a US tour in October 2023, remains unfulfilled despite the initial hopes of capping it off with a World Cup victory in 2026. Wagner, eager to "take the next step," highlighted that he's longed to step into the head coach role, and that's now, not after the World Cup.
Wagner's last goal, after the coaching decision and his confirmation at FC Augsburg, was to clinch the Nations League. However, a disappointing 1:2 semi-final loss to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League Final Four left that ambition unmet.
Instead, Wagner will wage his last battle for Germany in the third-place match in Stuttgart, facing a powerful international football heavyweight.
Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav, speaking on behalf of the national players, said, "Sandro will definitely be missed. We want to make his last game a winning one."
In preparation for the clash with the French, champions league winner Ousmane Dembélé on the sidelines, Wagner has been meticulously transcribing his final game plans to the team during their final training session at the Adidas training pitch. All 24 players, with captain Joshua Kimmich leading the charge, were present for Wagner's last official training session with the team.
Wagner has acquired a notable reputation within the player circle, serving as a confidant and mentor to many, due to his professional playing career. Undav explained, "He knows what football players go through. He's been there himself, at a high level. He's built a strong bond with the players."
Nagelsmann, despite initially expecting Wagner to fulfill his DFB contract until 2026, acknowledges his ambition. "I can understand and respect Sandro's desire to become a head coach," Nagelsmann conceded.
Wagner's final game against France symbolizes a full circle in his coaching journey. In September 2023, after the departure of national coach Hansi Flick, Rudi Völler took temporary command of the team for a single game. He invited Hannes Wolf and Wagner to assist from the German U20 team. The trio clinched a 2:1 victory over Germany's arch-rivals in Dortmund. Impressed by Wagner's performance, Völler quickly recruited him as assistant coach to Nagelsmann. Wagner, Nagelsmann, and Völler will all be keen to claim a victory against France, a fitting finale to Wagner's select term as assistant coach.
During the final training session, Sandro Wagner has been meticulously transcribing his game plans for the upcoming third-place match against France, which serves as a significant ending to his career as assistant coach of the German national team. In preparation for this clash, all 24 players, led by captain Joshua Kimmich, were present at the Adidas training pitch, recognizing Wagner's importance as a confidant and mentor due to his professional playing career.
