ex-coach of Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich, Julian Nagelsmann is said to be close to taking over the leadership of the German national team, as successor to the sacked Hansi Flick.
Flick was sacked as Germany coach after a 4-1 friendly defeat by Japan in Wolfsburg earlier this month, becoming the first Panzer coach to be sacked since the role was created in 1926.
Germany had lost four of their last five matches, with Flick picking up just 12 wins in his 25 games since replacing Joachim Loë in August 2021, and German Football Association (DFB) chiefs are eyeing his successor.
According to Sport Bild’s Christian Falk and then transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Nagelsmann will take over the reins of the German national team.
Romano claimed on X, the social media platform officially known as Twitter, that Nagelsmann is close to a deal with the German Football Association.
“The German FA is now close to finalizing the formal agreement to appoint Julian Nagelsmann as the new coach of the national team.”
“Details are being discussed about the salary as he will take a pay cut – Bayern are prepared to cut contact with Julian,” Romano wrote.
Germany host the men’s European Championship next year and Nagelsmann, who replaced Flick as Bayern coach at the end of 2020/21, had long been considered a leading contender for the job.