Bid Adieu to the National Team: Sandro Wagner Leaves for FC Augsburg
Team supervisor Wagner engages in the last minor taskBefore wrapping up the managerial duties
Herzogenaurach - In a recent training session, the familiar commanding voice of Sandro Wagner echoed from the pitch one last time. This weekend marks the end of an era, as Wagner, the assistant and trusted right-hand man of national coach Julian Nagelsmann, will be taking his place on the bench for the final time.
The game against France (3:00 PM/RTL and DAZN), set for Sunday, will be their 23rd and final outing together as coaches. Wagner's new destination? FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga.
From World Cup Aspirations to Bundesliga Dreams
The ambitious Wagner had once shared a vision with Nagelsmann - to bring home the World Cup title in summer 2026. But that joint project remains incomplete. Wagner sought a different challenge, one that couldn't wait until after the World Cup. "I want to take the next step," Wagner declared, admitting his long-held desire to lead a team as a head coach.
His last ambition? To win the Nations League. However, disappointment struck when they lost 1:2 to Portugal in the semi-finals. Wagner's unexpected departure from the national team's saga means the dream of reclaiming the EM title against Spain in Munich will have to wait for another day. Instead, he'll be competing for third place in Stuttgart against another major global football powerhouse.
Fond Farewells and Heartfelt Wishes
The national team players are eager to bid their teammate and confidant a memorable farewell. "Sandro will be missed," said Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav. "We want to finish off his last game with a win." As he stood in a black training suit at the final session before their clash with the Champions League winner Ousmane Dembélé-led French side, Wagner's impact was evident. All 24 players, including captain Joshua Kimmich, were present at the DFB team's home ground at Adidas before the departure to Stuttgart.
Wagner has made a name for himself in the player circle during his not-quite two years with the team, excelling as a player's confidant due to his football career. "He knows how players tick," Undav explained. "He was a player himself at a high level. He always had a very good bond with the players." Within the team, Wagner is highly valued for his football knowledge and expertise.
A Symbiotic Relationship
Nagelsmann had hoped that Wagner would fulfill his contract until 2026. But as a trainer who himself became a head coach in the Bundesliga at a young age at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Nagelsmann sympathized with Wagner's ambition. "I can understand and respect Sandro’s wish to become a head coach," Nagelsmann stated. Wagner, who was also a knowledgable TV expert earlier, had always worked loyally in the background during his time with the national team.
The Circle Closes: A Hint of the Future
For Wagner, this game against France, the reigning World Cup runners-up, also marks the completion of a circle. In September 2023, following Hansi Flick's separation as national coach, sports director Rudi Völler temporarily took over as the team coach for one game. He brought in Hannes Wolf and Wagner, who had been helping the U20 national team, as his assistants. They celebrated a 2:1 victory together in Dortmund. Impressed by Wagner's performance, Völler soon appointed Wagner as Nagelsmann's co-trainer. This trio - Nagelsmann, Wagner, and Völler - shares a common goal: a successful outcome in the Stuttgart stadium against France, mirroring the concluding season for both.
[1]: https://www.dfb.de/nachrichten/de/nrw/nationalmannschaft/sandro-wagner-verlaesst-nationalmannschaft-fc- Augsburg-neuer-trainer-2696386.html[2]: https://www.sportbuzzer.de/fu Como/news/sandro-wagner-verlaesst-deutschland-nationalmannschaft-fuer-fc- Augsburg-nach- be- h013379799.html[3]: https://www.spox.com/fu Como/news/2025/sandro-wagner-verlaesst-deutschland-nationalmannschaft-fc- Augsburg.de.html
- Sandro Wagner, who has been an integral part of the national team under Julian Nagelsmann, will now channel his football expertise towards FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga, moving on from his assistant coach role.
- In the upcoming game against France, the national team players hope to give Wagner a fitting farewell, aiming for a victory as a token of their respect and camaraderie, built during his not-quite two years with the team.
