Germany coach Nagelsmann hails a ‘good signal’ as sporting director Völler extends contract

By: James Ellingworth, The Associated Press Posted: 5:35 AM CDT Monday, Apr. 8, 2024 Last Modified: 1:08 PM CDT Monday, Apr. 8, 2024

Advertise with us

DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann calls it a “good signal” that team sporting director Rudi Völler will stay after the European Championship, adding the decision won’t influence his future.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/04/2024 (908 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Völler helped to oversee the hiring of Nagelsmann last September on a short-term deal which runs out after Germany hosts the European Championship.

Völler has now agreed to stay on through to the 2026 World Cup. Nagelsmann’s future was still uncertain amid reported interest from some of Europe’s major clubs.

FILE - Germany's then interim coaches Rudi Voeller, center, Hannes Wolf, right, and Sandro Wagner, left, lead the last training session ahead of an international friendly soccer match between Germany and France in Dortmund, Germany, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Rudi Völler is set to stay on as sporting director of the German men’s national soccer team through to the 2026 World Cup. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

“It is a very important step for German football that he has extended his contract and that he will remain sporting director. I can only congratulate the DFB (German soccer federation) on this, but also Rudi,” Nagelsmann said on Monday. “He enjoys it, too, otherwise he wouldn’t have extended his contract. And from that point of view, it’s a good signal to everyone.”

Nagelsmann indicated Völler’s choice wouldn’t affect his own decision-making on whether to stay.

“I’ve spoken at length about my contract issues. There is nothing new to report. I spoke very transparently about it and nothing has changed as of today,” he said.

Völler was initially hired early last year, only until the mid-year European Championship, as a response to Germany going out of the 2022 World Cup in the group stage. During his tenure, the federation then opted to sign Nagelsmann in September to replace Hansi Flick.

After a slow start, Nagelsmann led Germany to friendly wins over France and the Netherlands last month to lift the spirits around the Euro 2024 host team.

The 63-year-old Völler won the World Cup as a player with what was then West Germany in 1990 and coached Germany to the World Cup final in 2002.

In a statement on Monday, Völler said his return as sporting director “perhaps began initially out of a feeling of obligation,” but he had grown to enjoy his new role.

“Together we now want to create a wonderful European Championship in Germany and then keep that momentum with us for further challenges,” he added.

FILE - Rudi Voeller, left, director of the Germany national soccer team and Germany's head coach Julian Nagelsmann, right, arrive for the draw for the UEFA Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Rudi Völler is set to stay on as sporting director of the German men’s national soccer team through to the 2026 World Cup. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Before Nagelsmann’s arrival, Völler briefly returned as caretaker coach for one game, overseeing a 2-1 win over France in September.

Germany’s next games are pre-European Championship friendlies against Ukraine on June 6 and Greece four days later. Germany has been drawn against Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland in the group stage.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer