Julian Nagelsmann will take charge of Germany until the end Euro 2024, which is being held in Germany next summer; the 36-year-old replaces Hansi Flick, who was sacked earlier this month; Nagelsmann left Bayern Munich earlier this year but remained under contract with the champions
Friday 22 September 2023 11:58, UK
Julian Nagelsmann has been appointed as Germany's new manager following Hansi Flick's sacking earlier this month.
The 36-year-old left his role as Bayern Munich boss earlier this year, with Thomas Tuchel replacing him at the Allianz Arena.
Nagelsmann was still under contract with the Bundesliga champions until 2026 but the Bavarians and the German FA (DFB) have come to an agreement for him to now coach the national team until next summer's European Championships, which are being held in Germany.
Nagelsmann said: "We have a European Championship in our own country. That's something special - something that happens every few decades.
"I subordinate everything to the fact of having a great tournament in a great country. I have a great desire to take on this challenge. We will be a close-knit group next year."
Rudi Voller, the DFB sporting director who took charge of Germany's 2-1 win over France following Flick's dismissal, added: "Nagelsmann was our preferred candidate as national coach when the search began.
"He is not only an absolute football expert but has already proven in all his positions - at a very young age for a head coach - that he can motivate and inspire a team and the entire environment.
"His fire for football is noticeable and contagious. His qualities and his personality will play a crucial role in ensuring that we will all experience a great European Championship in our own country in the summer."
The DFB board unanimously voted to approve the short-term appointment of Nagelsmann, who will be assisted by Sandro Wagner, the former Germany striker, and Benjamin Gluck, who worked with the manager at Bayern, RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim.
Nagelsmann's first task will be to pick a squad for friendlies against the USA in Connecticut and Mexico in Philadelphia next month.
Flick won 12 of his 25 matches in charge since replacing Joachim Low in August 2021, who he worked under as an assistant from 2006 to 2014.
The 58-year-old oversaw eight consecutive wins at the start of his reign but at the Qatar 2022 World Cup Germany failed to get out of Group E after losing to Japan, drawing with Spain and beating Costa Rica.
Oman and Peru are the only other nations Flick's side had beaten in the past 12 months.
The final tournament draw will take place in December 2023 at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg.
The teams will be seeded in accordance with the overall European Qualifiers rankings. Germany will be automatically seeded into pot one as hosts and placed in position A1.
The three play-off winners will not be known at the time of the draw but will be placed into pot four for the draw.
The opening game of Euro 2024 is June 14, with the final taking place on July 14 at the Olympiastadion, Berlin.
