Julian Nagelsmann faces his biggest test as Germany coach at the World Cup as he approaches 1,000 days on the job.
The World Cup is not his first tournament as he was already in charge at the home Euros in 2024 where Germany narrowly went out in the quarter-finals against eventual champions Spain.
The big aim
"It also hurts that you now have to wait two years to become world champion," Nagelsmann famously said after the Spain defeat.
That was a big statement, given that he was on the job less than a year at the time and also considering that no German coach won the World Cup on his first attempt: Neither Sepp Herbeger nor Helmut Schön, Franz Beckenbauer and Joachim Löw.
The aim has been toned down accordingly, with sporting director Rudi Völler saying Germany want to be "difficult to beat" and Nagelsmann saying "I would be very happy if we hear many voices from the fans and people in the country saying it was fun watching us."
Positive pressure
Germany start on Sunday against debutants Curaçao on the back of nine straight victories but also against the backdrop of group stage exits at the last two World Cups in 2018 and 2022.
Nagelsmann, 38, wants to break through this scepticism but the pressure is there.
Völler said that Nagelsmann is "tense but in a positive way" and also said that the coach is "not as naive as before the Euros."
That is another strong statement in footballing terms but also shows that Nagelsmann doesn't shy away from sticking to his decisions against public opinion.
The Nagelsmann way
The way the recalling of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was communicated is a peime example. Nagelsmann appeared on ZDF television a few days before the nomination but didn't look good as he didn't want to reveal anything.
But Nagelsmann didn't cancel his appearance, with Völler saying: "He takes it on even though he knows it might get a bit bumpy. That’s just the way he is, and that’s why I like him so much. And that’s why we’re going to have a great World Cup too."
The courage also shows in the expected World Cup line-up where he trusts newcomer Nathaniel Brown as left back as well as the young duo of Felix Nmecha and Aleksandar Pavlovic in midfield. And teenager Lennart Karl was the expected starter on the right before his injury.
Experience despite young age
Nagelsmann himself has youth on his side as the youngest Germany coach and the youngest of all 48 World Cup teams. He previously coached Bundesliga sides Hoffenheim, Leipzig and Bayern Munich before becoming Germany coach in September 2023 on a contract now until 2028.
June 18 will mark 1,000 days on the job, two days before the second game against Ivory Coast.
"He has been doing it for almost threee years. He knows that the whole nation questions certain things," Völler said.
Asked whether he has enjoyed every day, Nagelsmann was honest when he told the Spielmacher podcast: "Nah, but more super days than bad ones. It is a great emotional job overall which has something really big in store this summer."
