By Samuel A. April 19, 2024
German national team manager, Julian Nagelsmann has extended his contract by two additional years, taking him beyond the upcoming European Championship and 2026 World Cup. This new contract also rules out Nagelsmann returning to Bayern Munich, which is looking for a new coach for next season after deciding to part ways with Thomas Tuchel at the end of this season.
Nagelsmann was the reported favorite following Xabi Alonso’s decision to stay with Bayer Leverkusen, however, Bayern has to look elsewhere after two high profile rejections.
Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeness confirmed Nagelsmann had been “one of several candidates” for Bayern in comments during an interview. He added that he respected Nagelsmann’s decision. “It’s a shame but it doesn’t mean the end of the world for FC Bayern,” he said.
The German soccer federation announced on Friday that its supervisory board and shareholders decided unanimously to keep Nagelsmann in charge of the national team after Euro 2024, which Germany is hosting. “He’s on the wish list of many big clubs across Europe”, federation president Bernd Neuendorf said of Nagelsmann. The 36 year old has overseen a change in mood in Germany after wins over France and the Netherlands following a shakeup of the team last month. He was hired in September on what was initially a short term deal through to Euro 2024 to fix a run of poor games under predecessor, Hansi Flick.
Nagelsmann said staying with Germany was “a decision of the heart”, and that it was a “great honor to be able to train the national team and work with the best players in the country.” Bayern fired Nagelsmann in favor of Tuchel in March 2023, and they then went on to win the Bundesliga that season, but only on goal difference after an uneasy start to Tuchel’s tenure. This season, Bayern have failed to win the title for the first time since 2012 after Bayer Leverkusen won its first title last Sunday. Bayern Munich, is still in contention in the last four of the Champions League after beating Arsenal in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Speaking on Friday ahead of playing Union Berlin on Saturday, he dismissed any speculation that his team’s success in the Champions League could lead to him staying past the end of the season. “I have an agreement with the club. It’s been communicated and still stands,” he said.
