Wagner's replacement announced: Hübner now assistant to Nagelsmann
Germany bolsters its coaching staff for the 2026 World Cup, as Benjamin Hübner is set to join Julian Nagelsmann as the new assistant coach for the national team. The German Football Association (DFB) confirmed that Hübner, aged 35, will replace Sandro Wagner in the coaching team.
Hübner, a former professional defender, spent three years at Hoffenheim under Nagelsmann from 2016 to 2019, appearing in 69 matches. He transitioned into coaching and served as assistant manager at Hoffenheim for one season before his appointment with the DFB.
"I am honored to work for the national team," Hübner said, signing a contract until after the 2028 European Championship, matching the term of Nagelsmann. "Under Julian Nagelsmann, I had my most successful time in Hoffenheim, which has greatly influenced me as a player, but also for my later job as co-trainer," he added.
Sandro Wagner, the incumbent assistant coach, is stepping down a year before the end of his contract. He is aiming for a position as head coach and has been linked with FC Augsburg and RB Leipzig.
Hübner comes from a footballing family, with his father, Bruno, and brothers, Christoph and Florian, also playing professionally.
The new assistant will officially start on July 1, taking over sports aspects that were previously in Wagner's responsibility. Nagelsmann praised Hübner's strategic thinking, leadership qualities, and professional experience, which he believes make him an excellent fit for the coaching team. Mads Buttgereit and Andreas Kronenberg continue to work as set-piece specialist and goalkeeper coach, respectively.
Sandor Wagner will manage the national team for the last time during the UEFA Nations League Final Four, with Germany facing Portugal in the semi-final on June 4 in Munich.
After the match against Northern Ireland in Cologne on September 7, Hübner will make his debut with the national team, returning to his old stomping grounds in Sinsheim for the third match of the World Cup qualifying round against Luxembourg on October 10.
References:[1] https://www.faz.net/sport/fu%C3%9Fball/bundesliga/tsg-hoffenheim/huebner-zurueck-von-der-kuendigung-16745077.html[2] https://www.kicker.de/news/fu%C3%9Fball/bundesliga/allgemein/bundesliga-benjamin-huebner-scheint-als-neuer-assistent-julian-nagelsmanns-bei-dem-dfb-verpflichtet-zu-sein-3883775.html[3] https://www.dfb.de/nachrichten/borussia-dortmund/benjamin-huebner-ist-der-neue-assistent-von-julian-nagelsmann-bei-den-dfb-1188166.html
- Hübner, with his experience as a player and coach in the premier-league of the European-leagues, will take over sports aspects previously handled by Sandro Wagner, adding valuable insight to the German national team's coaching staff as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
- In light of his successful tenure working under Julian Nagelsmann at Hoffenheim, Hübner believes that his return to the club, this time as an assistant coach with the German national team, offers an opportunity to share his knowledge of other sports, such as football, and contribute to the team's overall strategy.
- Aiming for a position as head coach in the future, Sandro Wagner stepped down from his assistant coach role with the German national team, but he continues to be associated with clubs like FC Augsburg and RB Leipzig, indicating a possible transition into a new role within the premier-league.
