Julian Nagelsmann deserves a new contract

Julian Nagelsmann’s unsolicited application before the game against France for a contract after the European Championships initially sounded very much like he wanted to return from the association to the club. The national coach complained about the lack of training time. But Nagelsmann and his team made ideal use of the few days that followed, as the formidable 2-0 win in France, including a rehearsed eight-second goal, revealed.

The winter break after the defeats against Turkey and Austria also led to ideas that proved to be profitable, especially Toni Kroos’ return. The clever compositions around the clock give hope that, after a long period of experimentation, a basic order has been found so that European football does not play host to losers in the summer. Nagelsmann could have uncovered the potential that German football still has in time for the start of the European Championship. The changes offer a more promising framework.

Just a start

The national coach’s interventions away from the line-up also had an effect. Anyone who saw the naturalness of Leverkusen’s Wirtz, Andrich and Jonathan Tah, the self-confidence of Stuttgart debutant Maximilian Mittelstädt and the self-confidence of Premier League leader Kai Havertz recognized the “momentum”. The distribution of roles between regular players and challengers helped to implement Nagelsmann’s fun arrangement.

But Lyon’s victory is just a beginning, albeit a magical one. There was similar enthusiasm after the 2-1 win over France in the Rudi Völler game after parting ways with Hansi Flick. The gray November came quickly. Even in spring, the pink football world could look bleaker again this Tuesday if things went badly against the Netherlands in the new pink jersey (8.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the national team and on RTL).

In addition, there is a risk of annoying distractions. The excitement surrounding the change of supplier from Adidas to Nike will subside. But the uncertain future of the management of the first team of the German Football Association (DFB) requires answers quickly.

The contracts of sports director Völler and Nagelsmann run until shortly after the European Championships. The topic has been swirling ever since the national coach spoke publicly about his situation. Even if it wasn’t Nagelsmann’s intention to build up the pressure, the pressure to act still occurred.

Personnel Nagelsmann is pushing

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and Managing Director Andreas Rettig would do well to use the time for the European Championship nomination, as announced, to create clarity and calm. The way in which the “One Love” armband was dealt with at the ruined World Cup in Qatar showed how much of a burden unresolved issues can be.

Völler’s personality is quite simple to solve, without time pressure and an alternative job, while the trainer’s situation is more pressing and complex. The options for making a decision before the tournament are not optimal without knowing how it will end.

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Nevertheless, since Neuendorf, Rettig and Völler are so convinced of Nagelsmann, a new contract offer is now the right choice – without a European Championship success clause. Because if it were communicated, there would be a risk of unrest during the tournament, as was the case with national handball coach Alfred Gíslason. It is time for the DFB leadership to act as courageously as their dream coach Nagelsmann did in the winter.