by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The future of German national coach Julian Nagelsmann has been decided.
According to several media reports and an official association announcement, the 36-year-old has reached an agreement with the German association to stay in office until the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The former Bayern coach hereby rejected an offer from 2020 treble winner Bayern to return to his former club as successor of Thomas Tuchel, who is departing after the 2023-2024 season.
Nagelsmann is following the example of sporting director Rudi Voeller, who recently signed a new contract until 2026.
In September 2023 the former Hoffenheim and Leipzig coach had signed a contract until the end of the UEFA Euro 2024 as an interim solution.
"It's a decision of the heart," Nagelsmann stated, mentioning how much he was touched by the fans' enthusiasm after the victories in the friendlies against France and the Netherlands.
The German coach said he is excited regarding the upcoming Euro tournament on home soil and afterward about the challenge of facing his first World Cup.
Association president Bernd Neuendorf spoke about a strong signal as courted Nagelsmann had been on the list of several leading European clubs.
Sporting director Voeller talked of the coach "burning for his job" and the enthusiasm Nagelsmann has triggered over the recent weeks.
Both Neundorf and Voeller said Nagelsmann's commitment is increasing the national team's chances to deliver a satisfying Euro 2024.
German record international Lothar Matthaeus spoke about Germany as one of the favorites of the tournament with Nagelsmann in charge.
Meanwhile, Nagelsmann's signature is leaving Bayern behind without having yet found an appropriate coaching solution.
Former Bayern coach Hansi Flick, Austrian national coach Ralf Rangnick, and French legend Zinedine Zidane remain possible candidates to take over in Munich.
While Flick said he is willing to return Rangnick kept a cautious strategy and for long didn't talk about the Bayern rumors.
A week ago the 65-year-old said there is no reason to leave his Austria job as "our way hasn't ended yet and after Euro 2024 we will be heading for the 2026 World Cup."
Meanwhile, Tuchel confirmed: "The club and I have an agreement and that's valid." A few weeks ago Bayern and Tuchel announced to depart after the current season.
Recently Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso and Stuttgart manager Sebastian confirmed to stay with their clubs and are not joining the Bavarians. Reports speak of Bayern's intense efforts to sign Alonso.
Tuchel said the decision around Nagelsmann is positive "as it delivers continuity." He called the German coach and Voeller a "smoothly working combination."
For the German association, the achievements of the recent two weeks couldn't be more satisfying as the national teams' leadership crisis has been solved at high speed 56 days in advance of the 2024 Euro tournament opener against Scotland in Munich. ■
