After it was said on Wednesday that the German Football Association (DFB) had contacted Julian Nagelsmann to explore whether the ex-FC Bayern coach was an option for the vacant position of German national coach, a short statement from one followed important decision-maker of the association: BVB managing director and DFB vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke.
“Sport1” announced on Wednesday that the DFB had contacted Julian Nagelsmann, who was on leave from FC Bayern in March, and that discussions had begun about a possible takeover of the national coaching position. This claim has now been officially denied.
At the Bundesliga’s 60th anniversary celebration on Wednesday in Berlin’s Tempodrom, DFB Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke answered the question of whether talks with Nagelsmann had already begun with the words: “No. We will first work out the profile and then we’ll see further.”
However, according to “Sky”, Nagelsmann remains the “top favorite” to succeed Hansi Flick, who was fired after the 4-1 debacle against Japan. Louis van Gaal is also an option.
The same does not apply to Rudi Völler, who took care of the DFB team against France on an interim basis on Tuesday and led them to a 2-1 win.
Will Wagner and Wolf remain in office?
Völler nevertheless emphasized that he would continue on his path as DFB sports director and did not see his future in the coaching bench again. “And we accept that too,” said Watzke, drawing a line under the speculation that the 1990 world champion could lead the German selection to the home European Championships in 2024.
According to “Sky”, however, Völler wants to ensure that U20 coach Hannes Wolf and his U20 assistant Sandro Wagner also act as assistant coaches under a new coach. The duo supported Völler against France.
The new national coach should be installed by the national team’s trip to the USA in October. In addition to Nagelsmann, van Gaal, the Austrian Oliver Glasner and Stefan Kuntz are currently considered promising candidates.