Bullet dodged by Chelsea? Germany's Nagelsmann experiment is bound to fail

Updated: 22 Nov 2023 16:30 GMT
3 min read

Julian Nagelsmann, Germany, DFB — © ProShots

In light of Germany's recent form, some Chelsea fans may feel that they dodged a bullet when Julian Nagelsmann rejected them in the spring.

After being fired by Bayern, the coach's stock appears to be plummeting as Germany are once again in crisis. However, the issues with the German national team, as FootballTransfers previously explained, go much, much deeper than just the coach.

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The DFB team are coming off back-to-back defeats, first falling 3-2 to Turkey on home soil in Berlin and then being thoroughly outplayed by Ralf Rangnick's Austria 2-0 in Vienna.

Leroy Sane's angry reaction and subsequent red card in the fixture against Austria was symbolic of Germany's decline. Sane has been in swashbuckling form for Bayern this term, but he let himself get carried away after being provoked by Philipp Mwene.

Questions are already being asked about the Julian Nagelsmann experiment - and an experiment it is. It was a shock to see the 36-year-old, one of the most sought-after coaches in the world, take the reins of his struggling nation and recent results, it must be said, are not in the least bit surprising.

A Nagelsmann or a Germany problem?

Against Austria, Germany looked bereft of ideas, not helped by Sane's red card. Kai Havertz was once again shoehorned into his left wing-back role, illustrating the transient nature of Germany's current team. This was not Germany's best team, but then again, what is?

The talent pool is an issue for Germany, and many in German football circles have spoken up about this issue. A lack of world-class players both upfront and at the back are the result of systemic issues that start at the youth level.

Then there is the problem that some players simply aren't what they used to be, chief among them Joshua Kimmich, who has endured a torrid few weeks and is being ripped to shreds in the German media.

Finally, there is Nagelsmann, a "system coach" if ever there was one. Despite the young boss' vaunted versatility, it was always going to take time for him to get Germany firing, but the thing is, he is only expected to be in charge until Euro 2024.

Implementing a proper system at the international level is tough and it's doubtful that Nagelsmann, given the talent - or lack thereof - at his disposal and the lack of time, will be able to accomplish this. It would not come as a shock to see Germany flop at the upcoming European Championship on home soil.