National coach Alfred Gislason is calm about his future as national coach, but would like to be responsible for Germany’s handball players beyond the end of his contract.
“I’ve been here for so long now that I would of course like to continue working with the team,” said Gislason in an interview with the “Sport-Information-Service”.
But he is a “professional” with a view to a possible extension of his contract, which expires in 2027, the Icelander added. He “never said that I wanted to stop coaching. I really enjoy it. If I no longer coach the German national team after 2027, that’s just how it is. But I’ll continue if I get something interesting.”
The upcoming European Championship is Gislason’s eighth tournament as a DHB coach. In addition to the 2026 European Championships in Denmark, Sweden and Norway (January 15 to February 1), his current contract also includes the home World Cup in around a year. Of course, it was “also clear to him that I’m not the youngest in the field,” said the 66-year-old.
“I will accept any decision made by the German Handball Federation. I am and will continue to be a huge fan of this team because I am extremely proud of this team. But I will continue, so perhaps I will sit on a different bench at the next European Championship in 2028.”
The relationship with those responsible at the German Handball Federation (DHB) is “extremely good” and there is a constant exchange. “If you think you want a younger coach – there are a lot of really good ones in Germany – then that’s just how it is,” said Gislason. “The only thing I wouldn’t say is that I’m quitting handball. I tried that before, it wasn’t that nice and I didn’t have much fun either.”