Germany have been in this position before. Indeed, there was a lot of pessimism around the country’s national team ahead of the 2006 World Cup on home soil. Not much was expected of Die Mannschaft and yet they made a run to the tournament’s semi-finals. Julian Nagelsmann’s team could follow a similar trajectory.
2023 was a disastrous year for Germany as they struggled for form and ultimately fired Hansi Flick as head coach. At that point, there was genuine fear within German soccer that the national team would embarrass itself at its own tournament the following summer. Since then, though, Nagelsmann has done his best to turn things around.
Given the freedom to put his own stamp on the squad, the former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig head coach has wasted no time in remoulding Germany’s squad in his own image. Under Flick, Germany had become stale. A number of veteran stars had started to fade, but Nagelsmann has done a lot of work to ensure Germany shine at Euro 2024.
Mats Hummels and Leon Goretzka have both been omitted from Nagelsmann’s Euro 2024 squad after years in the fold. Hummels was particularly bitter about the Germany manager’s decision after impressing for Borussia Dortmund in this season’s Champions League. But Nagelsmann has placed an emphasis on finding the right chemistry within his squad.
Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz have been installed as the creators-in-chief for Germany in the attacking third with both players keen to take up central positions in the half-spaces. Both youngsters could be set for a landmark tournament in which they announce themselves as integral figures for the national team.
This isn’t to say Nagelsmann has disposed of every experienced figure. Far from it. Manuel Neuer is still Germany’s starting goalkeeper while Thomas Muller was included in Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad, although the Bayern Munich forward might have to settle for a role as an impact sub off the bench in matches.
Ilkay Gundogan is another experienced performer predicted to have an important role for Germany this summer. The Barcelona midfielder’s natural appreciation of space and versatility could be key in giving Germany the sort of cohesion they lacked towards the end of Flick’s tenure as manager.
The most influential veteran figure in Germany’s team, however, could be someone that was in international retirement until only a few months ago. Toni Kroos will operate at the base of Germany’s midfield at Euro 2024 with the 34-year-old set to retire from professional soccer entirely after the tournament. This will be Kroos’ swan song.
Many doubted Nagelsmann would take to international management. At club level, he’d earned a reputation as a hands-on coach and so there were concerns over his ability to adapt to a different discipline of soccer management. So far, though, the 36-year-old appears liberated by the experience and that is reflected in how Germany are playing.
Nagelsmann wants Germany to control matches with the ball and they have done that well in recent friendlies against France, the Netherlands and Greece. Even in last week’s goalless draw against Ukraine, Germany dominated and would have found the back of the net at least once on another day.
Some question whether Kai Havertz will provide the firepower Germany need in the centre forward position to go the distance at Euro 2024, but Arsenal used the 25-year-old in this role this season and managed to sustain a Premier League title challenge. Havertz’s movement is what makes him so dangerous.
“We will try to win the title, that I can promise you, and will do everything we can to achieve this,” said Nagelsmann when asked about Germany’s chances of Euro 2024 glory this summer. These are the sort of comments German supporters expect to hear from their national team manager, but confidence is growing for the hosts.
The struggles of last year – and the firing of Flick – have been left in the past. Nagelsmann has tried his best to learn from past mistakes made before his appointment last September and has pointed Germany in the right direction again. Head far enough in that direction and the hosts could end up lifting the Euro 2024 trophy.
