Coach Nagelsmann: Germany need to be more variable to win titles
Germany national soccer team coach Julian Nagelsmann attends the Sepp Herberger Awards ceremony. The DFB Foundation presents Sepp Herberger Awards for special projects and activities by non-profit soccer organizations. Michael Matthey/dpa
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has said that more variability is the missing link for the team to be considered a serious contender for big international titles again.
Nagelsmann told Friday's Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland papers that this aspect takes a little longer to implement at national team level than at a club.
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After many bleak years with back-to-back World Cup group stage exits, former Bayern Munich coach Nagelsmann has led the four-time world champions into the Nations League Final Four tournament in June, where a first trophy since the 2017 Confederations Cup is possible.
"Now we're slowly back to the status where other teams see us as favourites and are perhaps thinking more about how they might be able to crack the familiar plan," Nagelsmann said.
"We have to become a little more variable overall. But this variability takes a little longer than at the club."
Nagelsmann said he could not influence this as much as national team coach than in the daily work at club level. But he said that "essential things" have been introduced, which also prompted him to renew his contract until 2028.
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"If I had the feeling that I was only there to create a good atmosphere in the team, that the players were in a good mood - that wouldn't satisfy me," he said.
Nagelsmann now sets his sights on the Nations League Finals June 4-8 which Germany hosts in Stuttgart and Munich. Portugal await in the semis, and France or Euro 2024 champions Spain in a possible final.
Nagelsmann has often said that winning the title would be an important stepping stone towards next year's World Cup.
He said "I am upbeat that we can play a very good semi-final against Portugal and hopefully also win the final" if all his men continue to play on a regular basis and in responsible positions at their clubs.
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Nagelsmann added he was especially looking forward to facing Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo, saying "you can only raise your hat" to his fitness and power at age 40.
'I think he's an impressive player with an impressive career. I'm looking forward to it and hope that he doesn't rediscover his free-kick qualities against us," Nagelsmann said.'
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