Internal turmoil within the German national team due to coach Nagelsmann

Many German players are said to be unhappy with new coach Julian Nagelsmann's training methods, including pushing Kai Havertz to play left-back.

Nagelsmann has not helped Germany improve since taking over from Hansi Flick in September. In the first training camp, Nagelsmann made his debut with a 3-1 win over the US and a 2-2 draw with Mexico. At the FIFA Days in November, Germany lost 2-3 to Türkiye and 0-2 to Austria.

Not only that, after only a short period in charge, Nagelsmann has caused instability in the dressing room. According to Bild , some German players believe that the 36-year-old coach is more suitable for club work and is demanding too much from them.

The German national team still supports and believes in Nagelsmann's tactical ability. But they want the former Bayern coach to simplify his ideas, because they believe he does not have enough time in short training sessions to revolutionize the team's playing style, including putting key players in positions that are not their strong suit.

Havertz (black and white shirt) in Germany's 0-2 loss to Austria on November 21. Photo: AP

Nagelsmann’s latest move has been to play Havertz at left-back in the last two games, despite him having never played there before and having spent most of his career in attack. After just a few training sessions, Havertz was deployed at left-back against Türkiye. Although he did not make much of an impression, he was tested in the position again in the defeat to Austria.

Leroy Sane, who played on the left wing for both club and country, was also moved to the right wing. As a result, despite starting all four matches under Nagelsmann, Sane failed to score.

Nagelsmann likes to videotape the team's training sessions and stop them mid-session to point out mistakes. Some German players are said to feel "overwhelmed" by this approach, believing the young coach is trying to fix multiple problems at once.

Nagelsmann has also been criticised for failing to keep a clean sheet in all four games, conceding eight goals. He hinted that the team would "compensate for their defence" by saying that "Germany are not defensive monsters". According to Bild , Nagelsmann's questioning of Germany's defensive ability has upset some defenders.

The former Bayern coach also caused controversy by instructing goalkeeper Kevin Trapp to feign pain and lie down on the field to have more time to adjust tactics in the match against Austria. German media commented that this was a pathetic, weak and unsportsmanlike action.

Nagelsmann has only one international break left in March 2024 to revive Germany and look forward to Euro 2024, which they will host. The contract between the two sides only lasts until the end of Euro 2024, and Germany's performance in this tournament will determine the future of the 36-year-old coach.

Before Nagelsmann, Germany also had no success with Hansi Flick - another former Bayern coach. In the last five matches leading the team, Flick and Germany lost 2-3 to Belgium, 0-1 to Poland, 0-2 to Colombia, 1-4 to Japan and drew 3-3 with Ukraine. Before that, at the 2022 World Cup, he also disappointed when he left right after the group stage.

Hong Duy

Source link