The German U21s were unable to rely on personal support from Julian Nagelsmann in the groundbreaking game against Northern Ireland, but Andreas Rettig defended the national coach.
“I don’t know if the topic gets boring,” said the DFB managing director at ProSieben Maxx, defending the national coach’s absence in Belfast: “You can’t expect more than three of the coaching team to be there at a U21 game.”
The fact that Nagelsmann, who had also played a World Cup qualifying game with the German A team in Belfast less than 24 hours earlier, stayed away from the German youth team despite the favorable starting position had caused criticism in advance.
“I don’t think we’re understaffed,” Rettig continued, adding that the national coach had “set the right priorities.”
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Nagelsmann has an analysis appointment
The national coach had also excused his absence in advance with an important analysis appointment; as he did at the European Championships, he supported the U21 team in front of the television.
“I’ll follow it as normal and keep my fingers crossed,” the 38-year-old said in the press conference the day before. He will also be represented on site by three people from his coaching team, “who are also responsible for maintaining the connection,” Nagelsmann explained. But he also has “a great connection” with U21 coach Antonio di Salvo.