Bound by 2026
© Imago
Sports director Rudi Völler can imagine a further extension of his contract with the German Football Association (DFB). “Actually, I had planned to stop in 2026. But I’m honest: Julian, the team and the entire team have grown dear to my heart. We are now waiting for the two games, then we continue to look,” Völler said the “Express” on Thursday and Sunday (8:45 p.m.).
DFB coach Julian Nagelsmann remains up to the EM 2028. “The most important personnel at the DFB is always that of the national coach. We are very happy that we were able to fill it in the long term and best possible with Julian Nagelsmann,” said Völler when asked when he would sign a new contract. When the renewed extension with Nagelsmann was announced in the DFB Presidium, everyone was enthusiastic. “Afterwards, many in the Presidium, starting with Bernd Neuendorf and Aki Watzke, asked me how it looks with me. Julian had also asked me about it one time or another,” the ex-DFB trainer continued.
Völler had taken over his post shortly after the early failure at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by Oliver Bierhoff. After the end of Hansi Flick as national coach in September 2023, he helped out an international match as an interim coach against France (2-1) and then brought Nagelsmann to the national team as the new head coach. Völler, which was actually only extended until the EM European Championship European Championships 2024, as sports director last spring until the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. Shortly afterwards, Nagelsmann had also extended his contract until the tournament in the summer of next year.
DFB Managing Director Andreas Rettig described the next “most important personnel decision” that of the President Neuendorf. “Rudi’s contract expires in 2026, mine will run until the end of 2026. But the presidential contract expires at the end of 2025,” said Rettig. “We have the DFB Bundestag in November. And that’s why it is of course important that there is clarity with the one who provides the association in the course of the year.”