National coach Julian Nagelsmann has to get the national soccer team back on track within a few months. Before the next test matches in March, the 36-year-old announced “content” changes.
The defeats against Turkey (2:3) and Austria (0:2) have recently dampened the already little widespread European Championship euphoria. There are plenty of construction sites for national coach Julian Nagelsmann: the defense was more vulnerable in the 2023 international match year, conceding a total of 22 (!) goals than it has been in a long time, and the highly decorated offense was often devoid of ideas and creativity.
There are only a few options left to make course corrections before the home European Championships next summer. In March, the DFB selection will once again challenge the French selection, which was last defeated 2-1 (1-0) in September under interim national coach Rudi Völler. Another tough test follows against the Netherlands, as sports director Rudi Völler confirmed on Saturday.
Nagelsmann announced drastic changes to the “dpa” on the sidelines of the draw for the European Championship groups in Hamburg, although he is not planning “a radical cure”. He won’t exchange “ten players”, but there will be “some changes in the structure because we also have a changed national team in terms of self-image and in the way we perform.”
Conditions for Neuer’s DFB comeback
The measures will affect “content areas” and “the structure” within the team. Nagelsmann emphasized: “I have a clear opinion about all the players.”
One returnee has already been confirmed, albeit with reservations: Manuel Neuer. “If he stays healthy and plays like he does now, he will be there,” said Julian Nagelsmann, formulating two conditions. Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp was in goal against Turkey and Austria after the actual number one Marc-André ter Stegen had to withdraw at short notice.
For his part, Bayern captain Neuer recently made it clear that he has his sights set on a DFB comeback in March. In consultation with Nagelsmann, the 37-year-old decided not to take part in the most recent international double pack due to the high strain he was under after recovering from an injury.