Can Julian Nagelsmann make Germany football fans fall in love with the national team again? | Football News
As a dark cloud hangs over Germany after a string of forgettable performances in the last three major tournaments, the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB) appointed former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann as the manager for the national team until Euro 2024 which will be played on their home soil.
Ironically, Nagelsmann will be replacing Hansi Flick, another former Bayern coach, at the helm. Flick had started well in the role with eight wins in his first eight matches but ultimately faced the same malaise that had plagued his predecessor Joachim Low.
Germany were unable to make inroads into the oppositions’ defence while their own backline was increasingly vulnerable against attacking threats.
One of the most potent problems they face is not having a proper number 9, an issue that new boss Nagelsmann will be pretty familiar with. During his time as Bayern manager, he had to cope without a recognised central striker after Robert Lewandowski had left for Barcelona. He would try plugging the gap with Sadio Mane, Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry and ultimately went with Cameroonian striker Eric Chupo Moting.
In the German system, Nagelsmann will have Niclas Füllkrug at his disposal, a decent striker but he is already 30 years of age and a short-term solution at best. But considering that the Euro is under a year away from now, it’s safe to assume that Füllkrug is the best bet Germany have under Nagelsmann’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Behind Füllkrug, Nagelsmann has an embarrassment of riches to choose from with core players from Bayern like Jamal Musiala, Muller, Gnabry, and Leon Goretzka as well as Barcelona’s Ilkay Gundogan all in contention.
Speaking about defence, Niklas Süle and Antonio Rüdiger are sure in to start while Nico Schlotterbeck or even Mats Hummels can take up the remaining slots, depending on the formation.
But one of the huge challenges that Nagelsmann faces is an off-field issue which is to reinvigorate not just the players but the common fan as well. He needs to ensure that the German fans, who have fallen out of love with the sport, rediscover their love for the national team.Most Read
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At the end of his tenure, Flick had lost most of the dressing room as well as a huge portion of the fanbase due to his erratic tinkering. That became more apparent from the body language of the team which lost against Japan in what was Flick’s last match and the team
After Flick’s sacking, Germany stunned 2018 World Cup winners France. Against France, the same team that looked sluggish and down on their luck after the Japan loss, became a force to be reckoned with, playing with much-needed enthusiasm.
This is likely to improve even further once Nagelsmann imprints on this team. A shrewd tactician who relies on a quick counter-pressing and rapid passing style, the 36-year-old’s methods might be a little complex in the beginning but they are sure to provide results.
