National football team
Question of lots instead of contract debate: Nagelsmann is looking for a co-opponent
Julian Nagelsmann travels to the next meeting after the 1-1 draw in Hungary. Important lots are drawn at UEFA. Contract speculation shows how great the national coach’s standing is at the moment.
Accompanied by a sudden discussion about a possible quick contract extension until 2028, Julian Nagelsmann first takes care of the first German co-opponent in the Nations League. Italy, Denmark, Croatia are the options for the national soccer team in the quarterfinals.
The national coach is calmly looking forward to the draw on Friday (12 noon) at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon. “I’m relaxed. There aren’t that many choices. All three opponents have their charm, they’re different teams with different levels of development,” said Nagelsmann about the trio of candidates.
The 37-year-old can no less calmly accept the fact that after a “Bild” report there is suddenly speculation about alleged discussions about an extension of the contract with the DFB, which was only extended in April until the 2026 World Cup, until the next European Championship in 2028. After the enormous upswing in 2024, his standing in the association is huge.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf did not want to confirm possible contract talks, but emphasized the “great appreciation” for the national coach. “We were very happy that he has now extended his contract, which was originally dated until the EURO, until the 2026 World Cup. We will discuss everything else in peace in due course,” Neuendorf told the “Leipziger Volkszeitung”.
Völler can well imagine a longer commitment
Sports director Rudi Völler had already made it publicly clear before the end of the year with the 7-0 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina and the 1-1 draw in Hungary on Welt TV, among others, that he would like a longer commitment. Sure, based on these results in 2024. But the DFB has also had bad experiences with long-term and prematurely extended national coaching contracts.
The contract question is probably not a big issue for Nagelsmann, even after an almost perfect international year. Even if he raves about his team and his job. “I’ve already learned that the sense of unity is very, very important,” he said.
The national coach’s focus is initially on the continuation of the Nations League, in which the title is to be won in 2025, and therefore on the drawing ceremony on Lake Geneva.
How does the draw for the quarter-finals work?
This time the procedure is comparatively simple. In Pot 1 are the group winners of League A: Germany, Spain, Portugal and France. You will be drawn a opponent from pot 2 of the group runners-up. Italy, Denmark, Croatia and the Netherlands are represented. The only restriction for the DFB team: another duel with group opponents Oranje is not possible.
What other requirements are there?
It is clear that Germany, as group winners, will initially play away on March 20th, with the second leg on March 23rd being a home game. Interesting: The possible semi-final pairings will also be drawn. Two quarter-final games are assigned to each other by lottery. The semifinals will take place on June 4th and 5th, followed by the final on June 8th.
Are there any other draws?
Yes. The playoffs for promotion and relegation in leagues A/B, B/C and C/D will also be drawn. A total of 28 nations are still in action in the Nations League across all leagues. These draws have no influence on the German national team.
How is the host of the final round determined?
UEFA would ideally like to name the options on Friday. As a rule, a quarter-final pairing is determined, the winner of which then hosts the final round. Germany has a good chance of winning the contract. They would increase again with Italy as an opponent. UEFA circles say that the other four-time world champion has also actively tried to organize the event. Denmark is said to have also applied; Croatia as an alternative would not be ideal because of the small stadiums.
Where would the game be played in Germany?
The miniature European Championships would probably take place in Munich and Stuttgart. This is not official, but it is rumored accordingly. The Munich Allianz Arena would thus become the June hotspot for European football. Only the Champions League final on May 31st. Then the semi-finals (June 4th) and the final (June 8th) in the Nations League. UEFA also likes this variant for logistical reasons. The Munich Nagelsmann would also think it was great.
dpa
