"Totally happy to have him" Völler wants to keep Nagelsmann at the DFB beyond the 2026 World Cup

dpa

13.10.2024 - 21:00

DFB sports director Völler announces contract talks with Julian Nagelsmann.
DFB sports director Völler announces contract talks with Julian Nagelsmann.
IMAGO/Kirchner-Media

The contract of national coach Julian Nagelsmann expires after the 2026 World Cup. DFB sports director Rudi Völler wants to change that. Jürgen Klopp's new job does not play a role.

No time? blue Sport summarizes for you

  • Julian Nagelsmann's contract with the German national team runs until and including the 2026 World Cup.
  • DFB sports director Rudi Völler wants to keep Nagelsmann in his own ranks beyond the tournament.
  • "We will try to convince Julian that it makes sense for him to stay on as national team coach for a few more years," said Völler

DFB sporting director Rudi Völler would like to keep national team coach Julian Nagelsmann at the German Football Association for longer than the end of his contract in the summer of 2026. "We will try to convince Julian that it makes sense for him to stay on as national team coach for a few more years. We'll see when the time comes," Völler said on TV station Welt. "We as the DFB are of course totally happy that we have Julian Nagelsmann."

The 37-year-old Nagelsmann has been national coach for a year and his contract was extended before the 2024 European Championship at home until after the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. With the end of his contract approaching, there has recently been speculation as to whether Jürgen Klopp could be his successor. However, the former successful Liverpool FC coach signed a contract with the Red Bull Group from January 2025, without an exit clause according to those responsible.

Decision lies with Nagelsmann

Völler said that "only he can decide for himself" whether to continue with Nagelsmann after the World Cup. The national coach is "a young guy who perhaps also has ambitions to do something else". However, like DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and Managing Director Andreas Rettig, he would be "enormously pleased if Julian continues for many years to come", said Völler.

Klopp congratulated the former world-class player on his new job. The job as head of football at the global brand was "tailor-made" for Klopp, said Völler. "If this position of project manager hadn't existed, (Red Bull boss) Oliver Mintzlaff would have had to invent it for Jürgen Klopp."

The signing of Klopp was an "incredible success" for Red Bull. Only he can decide whether the former Bundesliga coach "will return to coaching at some point," said Völler.

dpa