Neither or both? Julian Nagelsmann is following DFB sports director Rudi Völler in the discussion about a possible contract extension as national coach before the home European Championship.
“Rudi said about his own contract situation: ‘We have time and then we’ll see.’ And you can always quote Rudi Völler,” said Nagelsmann after the German national team’s 2-0 gala win against France in Lyon on Saturday evening.
Nagelsmann set his priorities. “I am willing to play a highly successful European Championship, that is my main focus,” said the 36-year-old. He recently said a lot about his future. The DFB had reacted to this and is aiming to extend the contract with Nagelsmann, which expires after the home tournament in the summer.
Nagelsmann still wants to clarify “a lot of details”.
“An offer is always the first step. I don’t have an offer. And I don’t want to put any pressure on it. My statements should not put the DFB under pressure. We have signed a contract until after the European Championships – with full knowledge on both sides,” said Nagelsmann, describing the status quo and added: “In the end, a present offer is not a guarantee.” Völler’s (63) sports director contract also ends in the summer.
A longer stay at the DFB is not out of the question, but also not a given, said Nagelsmann on ZDF. When asked about a possible success clause for the home tournament if it was extended before the European Championships, Nagelsmann replied that there were “a lot of details” that needed to be clarified, but that he was discussing them internally. “This has nothing to do with financial things, I would like to make that clear,” said Nagelsmann. Regarding Völler, he remarked that he was an “absolute supporter of the idea” of extending his position as DFB sports director.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf wants to discuss the contract with Nagelsmann after the current international match phase. “We are a good team, get along well, exchange ideas intensively,” said Neuendorf on Saturday evening on ZDF. The head of the association had already spoken out in favor of extending the contract with the national coach in the past few days, probably under certain conditions for European Championship success.
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