MUNICH, Germany: Julian Nagelsmann has been given nine months to revive flailing Germany ahead of hosting Euro 2024 after being named as the sacked Hansi Flick’s successor as national team coach on Friday. Germany fired Flick with the national team struggling, the German football association (DFB) fearing another embarrassing performance in a major tournament, this time as hosts at next year’s European championships. Former Bayern Munich boss Nagelsmann has signed a deal until the end of next July, allowing the 36-year-old to leave after Euro 2024. “We have a European Championship in our own country — that’s something special,” Nagelsmann said in a statement. “I have a great desire to take on this challenge.” Nagelsmann said he signed the short-term deal “to keep the Euros in focus” but insisted he “would not rule out” an extension. Flick, who became the first coach in Germany history to be sacked, had won just four of 17 matches leading up to his dismissal and took the team to a disappointing group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The four-time world champions were also knocked out in the group stage at the 2018 World Cup in Russia under previous boss Joachim Loew. DFB president Bernd Neuendorf called Nagelsmann “an outstanding coach” and said: “We are convinced (he) will ensure that the national team inspires its fans and that the Euros are also a sporting success.” Flick was sacked after a humiliating 4-1 friendly loss to Japan in Wolfsburg in early September. Nagelsmann, who also succeeded Flick as Bayern coach, has been jobless since he was sacked by the German champions in March. DFB sporting director Rudi Voeller called Nagelsmann “an absolute football expert” and said he had “proven himself at a very
