National coach Julian Nagelsmann will stay with the DFB until 2028. t-online columnist Stefan Effenberg welcomes the decision – but sees another important factor.
Former national player Stefan Effenberg has welcomed national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s decision to extend his contract with the DFB early until 2028. “This is very good and pleasing news,” said the 56-year-old in an interview with the news portal t-online. “We have all seen that the German national team has returned to calmer waters under Julian Nagelsmann and Rudi Völler.”
Under Nagelsmann, the DFB team “showed good performances and played a great European Championship, and they are also through to the Nations League. This is all very positive, so the contract extension really makes sense.” The fact that Nagelsmann is now responsible for the German team at the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 European Championship is “also very important for the team, as they now know where they stand,” says Effenberg. “Now everyone has certainty for the next three and a half years.”
Also important: Nagelsmann has once again shown a perspective for players in the DFB team’s circle of candidates. “The performance principle applies again under him, he also nominates accordingly. That is a great incentive for every player. You can now see: If they perform consistently, then they also have a chance of making it into the national team. That is very important.” Effenberg is convinced: “We can look forward to the next two tournaments with Nagelsmann.”
The 35-time national player also highlights the role of sports director Völler in the change of direction and mood around the national team and the DFB: “That is Rudi’s work. In the past, Uli Hoeneß, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and others had criticized the fact that DFB is missing someone with competence and expertise in the position between the association and the team, someone who also leads the association. And of course Rudi Völler brings these qualities with him.”
Effenberg reminds us of “the last three or four DFB presidents: We don’t want an official like that to comment on sporting matters. Thanks to Rudi, calm has also returned here.”