Under-fire Julian Nagelsmann insists he isn’t afraid of losing his job after Germany’s shock defeat to Slovakia in World Cup qualifying. Despite the loss, Nagelsmann remains defiant, promising changes and a better performance in their next match against Northern Ireland.
Julian Nagelsmann has emphatically stated that he is "not afraid" despite the mounting pressure following Germany's stunning defeat to Slovakia in their recent World Cup qualifying match. The loss has sent shockwaves through German football, raising questions about the team's direction and Nagelsmann's leadership.
Germany's Group A campaign got off to a disastrous start on Thursday, as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against a determined Slovakia side. Goals from David Hancko and David Strelec sealed the victory for the hosts, leaving Germany reeling and at the bottom of their qualifying group.
The defeat marks a concerning trend for Germany, who have now lost three consecutive competitive games for the first time since reunification. This includes their recent struggles in the Nations League, where they were defeated in the semi-finals and the third-place play-off back in June. The last time they suffered a similar fate was before the country was unified.
Adding to the historical context, this was only Germany's second-ever World Cup qualifying defeat by more than one goal. The other such occasion was a painful 5-1 loss to England back in September 2001, a match that remains etched in the memory of German football fans.
Currently sitting at the bottom of Group A after the initial match, Germany's next challenge comes in the form of Northern Ireland, with the match scheduled to take place in Cologne. This fixture is crucial for Nagelsmann and his team, as they desperately seek to regain momentum and confidence.
Despite the growing criticism and pressure, the 38-year-old Nagelsmann remains defiant, insisting that he is not concerned about his job security. "We did not have a perfect day [against Slovakia]. No one had," Nagelsmann admitted, acknowledging the team's poor performance.
However, he quickly added, "To be frightened is not a good thing. I will try my best to win. I am not afraid. I think we will do a better job than on Thursday." This statement underscores Nagelsmann's determination to turn things around and lead Germany back to winning ways.
"We will try to be the best competitors possible and win our home game, which is very important for us and the fans in the stands. It is such an important game for us," Nagelsmann emphasized, highlighting the significance of the upcoming match against Northern Ireland.
Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Germany were unable to convert their dominance into goals against Slovakia. They registered 14 shots with an expected goals (xG) value of 1.7, compared to Slovakia's eight attempts with an xG of 1.3. This lack of clinical finishing proved to be a major factor in their defeat.
Nagelsmann, who fielded a strong starting line-up for the match against Slovakia, has promised to make changes for the upcoming game on Sunday, aiming to secure their first win in the World Cup qualifying campaign. He also hinted at possible formation changes. The manager is under pressure to find a winning formula quickly.
"We have had some discussions with some players and with the team," Nagelsmann revealed, indicating that internal discussions have taken place to address the team's shortcomings. "The team cleared up some things internally as well. We looked at what to expect and developed an idea for tomorrow."
"Content-wise, it will not be a completely changed team tomorrow. But on a personal level, there will be some things that will be happening. We have to deliver a better game," Nagelsmann concluded, suggesting that while the overall team structure may remain similar, there will be personnel changes and a renewed focus on improving their performance.
The pressure is mounting on Julian Nagelsmann as he seeks to navigate Germany through this challenging period. The upcoming match against Northern Ireland will be a crucial test of his leadership and the team's ability to bounce back from adversity.