Nagelsmann has an understanding of Pfeif concert against Northern Ireland

Fan frustration in the World Cup qualification

Nagelsmann about whistles: “I can understand”

The German national team wins against Northern Ireland, but the fans are in the meantime upset about the appearance of the DFB team. The national coach shows understanding afterwards.

William Laing reports from Cologne

A home victory over Northern Ireland gives the German national team air in the fight for the qualification for the World Cup next year. In the 3-1 win on Sunday evening in Cologne, the team of national coach Julian Nagelsmann can rehabilitate at least a bit. On Thursday, Germany had lost 0-2 against Slovakia with a weak appearance in Bratislava.

Meanwhile, the team took the lead against Northern Ireland after seven minutes through Serge Gnabry. But after a little more than half an hour after a corner kick, the guests managed to equalize. At the break it was only 1: 1. The consequence: a whistle concert of the obviously frustrated German fans for their team.

At the press conference after the game, Nagelsmann was addressed to the trailers’ whistles. The national coach emphasized that they were “generally not surprised”. Although he had a clear opinion on the whistles, he also did not want to complain. Because: “Tickets here for this game are expensive and the audience await us footballers and coaches that good performance takes place.” The fans would come to the stadium with a certain expectation, “which, that was obvious, was not a 1-1. I can understand that too.”

Nagelsmann then also tried a second perspective. “I’m not always super satisfied and I don’t pipe because of it,” said the 38-year-old. “Because I think it doesn’t work for people.”

Shortly afterwards he became even clearer, put the whistles in a very socially critical context. “When we all sit in the bush and wait like the hyenas until I can finally bite one again and then say how bad it is and that he is shitty: I don’t know if you develop great as a country,” said the national coach. He doesn’t believe that. Nevertheless, Nagelsmann again emphasized that he had understanding for the whistles. “Because there is simply more behind it,” he said.