Julian Nagelsmann has chosen not to go back to his former club Bayern Munich and instead has agreed to extend his contract with the German national team.
The 36-year-old was removed by the Bundesliga giants in March of last year but had become the club’s top choice to replace Thomas Tuchel, who will step down as manager at the end of the season.
Nagelsmann has been leading Germany since September and was widely expected to return to club football following this summer’s European Championship, with his deal only running until the end of the tournament.
But instead he has chosen to extend his contract with Die Mannschaft for two more years and will manage the team at the World Cup in 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Describing his choice to extend his contract, Nagelsmann said on Friday: ‘This is a decision from the heart.
‘It is a great honor to be able to guide the national team and work with the best players in the country.
‘With successful, passionate performances we have the opportunity to inspire the entire country.
‘I got a taste of that with the two victories against France and the Netherlands in March and it really moved me.
‘We want to play a successful home European Championship together and then I’m really looking forward, together with my coaching team, to the challenge of a World Cup.’
Besides Bayern, Liverpool had also been connected with a move for Nagelsmann as they search for a successor to Jurgen Klopp and he was rumored as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United too.
Germany team director and former player Rudi Voller said: ‘We were already absolutely convinced of Julian Nagelsmann before the recent successful international matches, but they have shown again what enthusiasm Julian and his team can rekindle in Germany.
‘He is an outstanding coach, a tactical fox who not only has great football expertise but can also inspire every player with his passion.
‘He bleeds for the national team and for success. I am very happy that we will continue on this path together after the home European Championship.’
The news will be a blow to Bayern Munich, who turned to Nagelsmann after their first choice target, Xabi Alonso, chose to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
The likes of Jose Mourinho and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi have been connected with the job in the past, while Sebastian Hoeness – the nephew of former Bayern president Uli – could be an option after a stellar campaign in charge of Stuttgart.
