JULIAN WILL FACE SCOTS EVEN IF WE GET A THRASHING
German FA insist Nagelsmann is for long haul
GERMANY v FRANCE
TONIGHT, 8PM, VIAPLAY
JULIAN NAGELSMANN has been told he will be on the bench against scotland in the euro 2024 opener – even if germany are thrashed by France in tonight’s friendly.
Steve Clark’s Scots have a glamour showdown against the hosts in Munich this summer.
Speculation has surrounded Nagelsmann who took over as Germany boss in September.
And it has even been suggested two poor displays in their friendlies against France in Lyon and the Netherlands on Tuesday in Frankfurt could see the German FA pull the plug early.
Nagelsmann has named a new-look squad for the daunting match against the World Cup runners-up. But DFB managing director Andreas Rettig has made it clear that they have faith in their 36-year-old manager no matter what happens this week.
Rettig insisted: “We really enjoy working with him, he knows that.
“There is absolutely no situation where I can’t imagine Julian Nagelsmann not being on the bench for the opening game of the Euros against Scotland.”
Nagelsmann has been linked with a return to Bayern Munich after the tournament with Thomas Tuchel standing down.
And the former Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig gaffer has no intention of taking any time out.
He said: “I know that a year’s break after the European Championship – or half a year’s break – is out of the question.
“Regarding the future, in football you can never rule anything out.”
Germany are struggling for form three months before they face Steve Clarke’s side.
But Nagelsmann insists the players don’t feel under pressure heading into the finals. The Germany boss, who took over following the sacking of Hansi Flick, has had a mixed start.
A win and a draw during a trip to America in October was followed by two straight losses, in Austria and at home to Turkey in November.
“In the last two games we had maybe too many attack-minded players on the pitch,” Nagelsmann told a news conference yesterday ahead of the latest friendly.
“This week we worked well in training and I am confident we will deliver a good performance against France.”