Who is Julian Nagelsmann, the new Germany head coach?

The German FA (DFB) made Julian Nagelsmann their number-one candidate after Jürgen Klopp confirmed he would stay at Liverpool and the 36-year-old has been appointed to lead his country at next year’s Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.

On being appointed last month, Nagelsmann said: “We have a European Championship in our own country, this is something special – something that happens every few decades. The performance in Dortmund was the beginning.”

Nagelsmann, who is one of Europe’s top coaches despite his age, has replaced Hansi Flick in the dugout, after he was fired as Germany head coach due to some poor displays and results. He had previously replaced Flick at Germany’s biggest club, Bayern Munich, although his spell there ended abruptly when Bayern fired the young tactician to appoint Thomas Tuchel.

Nagelsmann’s managerial career

Nagelsmann was born in Landsberg am Lech in West Germany. He played for 1860 Munich II and FC Augsburg before moving into management as his playing career came to an end at the age of just 20 due to injury. In 2016, he took charge of German club Hoffenheim, and in 2019, it was time for the second club of his managerial career when he made the move to RB Leipzig, before being appointed Bayern boss in 2021 after impressing in his first few years in Germany.

Nagelsmann’s first Germany squad

Nagelsmann recently announced his first squad as Germany’s new head coach ahead of the current international break.

One inclusion that few expected was that of experienced centre-back Mats Hummels who has been called up for the first time since Euro 2020 when Germany were eliminated in the quarter-finals against England.

Goalkeepers: Marc-André ter Stegen, Kevin Trapp, Oliver Baumann, Bernd Leno

Defenders: Antonio Rüdiger, Mats Hummels, David Raum, Robin Gosens, Niklas Süle, Jonathan Tah, Malick Thiaw

Midfielders: Ilkay Gündoğan, Robert Andrich, Julian Brandt, Chris Führich, Leon Goretzka, Pascal Groß, Jonas Hofmann, Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sané, Florian Wirtz

Forwards: Thomas Müller, Kevin Behrens, Niclas Füllkrug, Kai Havertz

Nagelsmann takes on the USA with Germany

Nagelsmann’s first game in charge will be against the USA on 14 October in Hartford (US) before his side play another friendly a few days later against Mexico in Philidelphia.

The trip has been publicly criticised by players including Niklas Süle, as they already have hectic schedules with their respective clubs. However, Germany sporting director Rudi Völler thinks differently.

“It makes sense that we and the national team would show up in America again before the 2026 World Cup. A tour like this can also bring a group together, which is even more true after the change of coach. And maybe it will help everyone involved that the hype will be a little less. I don’t want to sugarcoat the whole thing, but it does have a few small advantages. And as far as the travel stress is concerned: it’s not that dramatic. For many years in Leverkusen, I saw that our South Americans flew over at almost every international break.”

Völler on Nagelsmann

“I couldn’t understand the discussions about his supposed lack of experience. He was a coach at Hoffenheim, Leipzig and at Bayern Munich and gained a lot of experience there. Well, things didn’t end so well in Munich, but what he achieved in his previous spells was sensational. His ability to get people motivated, coupled with his football skills and his ability to read games, make him an exceptional coach and a stroke of luck for us.”

European clubs interested in Nagelsmann

In recent months, Nagelsmann had been linked with Chelsea, Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain. For now, he will take charge of Germany in a bid to turn things around after recent disappointments. For a coach so young, his CV is hugely impressive, but he will be hoping to add to it on home soil next summer.

When does Euro 2024 start?

Euro 2024 will get underway on 14 June 2024. Germany have automatically qualified for the tournament as the host nation.