“Sorry – that’s his lot”
Sammer gives national coach Nagelsmann some advice
11/11/2025 – 8:52 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
As befits his position, decisions made by the national coach are subject to a lot of discussion. Matthias Sammer is also involved.
Before the groundbreaking games in the World Cup qualification, Matthias Sammer makes a clear appeal to Julian Nagelsmann: less activism, more calm. The former sports director speaks publicly to the conscience of the national coach – and sees parallels to his own career.
“Julian is still a young coach – and young coaches tend to set stimulus points in certain phases when they want to make something happen,” said Sammer on “Sammer & Basile – the Hagedorn Talk” on Sky. The 58-year-old emphasized that it is important to maintain control in hectic times: “Some things you should approach more calmly, some not react to at all.” Sammer was referring primarily to personnel discussions surrounding squad nominations: “He also said again: They all talk about it and about it and about it. Sorry – that’s his lot. So don’t react to it at all, make your decision calmly, stabilize this team.”
“A young coach basically wants a solution in the next second. An older coach stays calm, composed, clear – and works a lot on trust,” continued Sammer. Nagelsmann should “perhaps think a bit old-fashioned.”
Sammer had already clearly criticized the national team’s style of play in the summer. The approach to the European Championship exit in the quarter-finals, which he felt was too positive, was also an issue. Nagelsmann had partially supported the content of Sammer’s statements, but wanted a personal discussion – not in public.
Sammer sees parallels to his own time as a young coach at Borussia Dortmund. His advice: Nagelsmann should “not let himself be driven so much by extreme ambition,” demanded Sammer. For the 1996 European champion, it seems as if the current national coach is currently looking for stability. “And I would only advise him: You won’t be able to do it if you constantly set stimulus points.”