Joachim Löw, one of his predecessors, did it regularly. When the national players slept in the morning on international trips or had free time during the day, he grabbed his running shoes and went for a jog. The former national coach did this almost every day to keep fit, but above all to collect his thoughts and switch off a bit. For Julian Nagelsmann, who has been the twelfth national coach in the history of German football since September 22, 2023, this also seems to be a ritual.
After he had already gone jogging on Saturday morning in Herzogenaurach, where the German national football team has moved into its European Championship quarters at Adidas, he also ran a few kilometers on the outskirts of town on Sunday morning – together with Benjamin Glück, his assistant, and team doctor Dr. Jochen Hahne.
It is quite possible that the trio discussed the friendly match that is coming up on Monday during the run. The German selection will face the Ukraine in Nuremberg (8.45 p.m., in the WELT sports ticker). But another topic may also have been discussed – the debate that flared up the day before about poll results on migration and diversity in the DFB selection.
“It’s crazy. I was shocked,” says Nagelsmann
On Saturday, Joshua Kimmich described the result of a WDR survey, according to which one in five people would like to see more white players in the German national team, as “nonsense” and “racist”. When the national coach was asked about Kimmich’s comments and the survey on Sunday afternoon, he paused briefly – and then answered for almost two and a half minutes.
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At the beginning of his remarks, Nagelsmann praised Kimmich, who had answered “outstandingly well and with a thoughtful statement.” “I see it the same way,” Nagelsmann continued: “Although I also find it crazy that we ask such a question on public television. I was shocked when I was informed about the survey – and that such questions are being asked and that there are people who answer them.”
Nagelsmann said that he, like Kimmich, also finds it racist. “I have the feeling that we need to wake up. There are countless people in Europe who have to flee – and have had to flee in recent years, because of war, economic factors or environmental disasters, whatever,” said Nagelsmann, speaking of “people who are looking for a safe country and want to be taken in. We have done that in the past, and we are doing that now. We in Germany are still doing very, very well. When we say something like that, I think it’s crazy how blinded we are.”
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The 36-year-old coach referred to Kimmich again. “Josh said it – and I have often stressed it: A football team can be a great example of how you can unite different cultures, religious backgrounds and skin colours in one group to achieve a great goal together. I find it bizarre: We all go on holiday to get to know other cultures. Then other cultures come to us and we complain about it. Then I can’t go on holiday and have to stay here. Like Josh, I don’t want to miss any player we have nominated or any player we haven’t nominated.”
Before Nagelsmann returned to sporting matters, he said: “We are playing a European Championship for everyone in the country. I hope I never have to read about such a shitty survey again.”
Opponent Ukraine and the security measures
Clear words from the national coach – one day before the game against Ukraine, which has been exposed to the Russian war of aggression since February 2022. Despite the very difficult sporting conditions in times of war, Ukraine managed to qualify for the European Championship. The selection had prevailed in the European Championship play-offs against Bosnia-Herzegovina. In the European Championship preliminary round group E, Ukraine will now face Belgium, Romania and Slovakia.
“Unfortunately, football is no longer the most important thing in our country – as it once was. We think about our defenders every day. Nevertheless, it is nice for our country that we are taking part in the European Championships,” said Sergiy Rebrov, the national coach of Ukraine on Sunday. Midfielder Taras Stepanenko is also looking forward to the European Championships, but reported on the day before the friendly how difficult it is to read news every morning about destroyed cities or people killed.
During the European Championship tournament, the Ukrainian national team, against whom the German Football Association (DFB) selection is still unbeaten with five wins and four draws, will set up camp in Hesse. The association has opted for a hotel in Taunusstein. The accompanying entourage of the European Championship participant, however, will be staying in a hotel in Wiesbaden, according to the UEFA accommodation catalogue.
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To protect the Ukrainian national team, the German security authorities will take even more extensive measures than for the teams of the 23 other participants. Nancy Faeser, the Federal Minister of the Interior, confirmed this to the “Rheinische Post” newspaper at the end of April. In addition, the SPD politician continued, German officials would ensure additional improved protection of the German House at the Olympic Games in Paris. At the European Championships, all security forces deployed would “protect all teams, fans and guests – and of course the following applies especially to the Ukrainian team: We are doing everything we can to ensure their safety in Germany, where even higher security precautions are in place,” said Faeser.
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Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine following Russia’s attack on its neighbour, Eastern Europeans are considered to be extremely at risk during their stay at the European Championships.
There are currently around 1.1 million people living in Germany who fled the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. “Like many Ukrainians, they will be rooting for their national team,” said Faeser. During the European Championship, which runs from June 14 to July 14, there will be controls at all German borders. According to Faeser, this is necessary in order to protect the major international event as best as possible. Germany also introduced temporary border controls for the 2006 World Cup.
As for Monday’s sporting duel, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will celebrate his comeback after 18 months in the German selection. The Bayern goalkeeper played his 117th and so far last game in the DFB goal on December 1, 2022 in the 4-2 win against Costa Rica in Qatar.
