Mats Hummels, known for his blend of experience, passion, quality and leadership, is making a highly anticipated return to the German national team. This move, under the newly appointed coach Julian Nagelsmann, comes as part of an effort to revitalize the team’s performance.
Hummels, along with fellow returnees Thomas Muller and Leon Goretzka, is expected to play a pivotal role as the team’s leader, orchestrator and motivator.
Nagelsmann has confidence in Hummels
Julian Nagelsmann, the newly appointed coach, expressed his confidence in Hummels, stating, “Mats has a convincing ability to read the game, a sophisticated tactical understanding and the courage to take charge. He will not only contribute on the field but also play a mentoring role within the team due to his excellent communication skills.” Hummels’ return reflects Nagelsmann’s approach as Germany prepares to host the 2024 UEFA Euro. Nagelsmann has signed a nine-month contract, intending to field players in the best form and leaving room for those who impress at their clubs.
Nagelsmann believes in short-term success
Nagelsmann’s mission focuses on short-term success, emphasising the present over future developments. This shift in strategy follows Hansi Flick’s tenure, which struggled to establish a team with a long-term vision. Nagelsmann’s vision is clear: “Our goal is to cultivate a positive team spirit characterised by determination, joy, passion and attractive football.” He emphasised this objective while unveiling his 26-player squad for the upcoming matches.
The squad includes newcomers like Stuttgart striker Chris Fuhrich, Union forward Kevin Behrens and Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich, who represent the philosophy of prioritizing current top performers. Fuhrich, with two goals and four assists and Behrens, who has scored four goals in six games, have been shining stars in the national league. However, Nagelsmann’s approach also involves giving players time to recover from inconsistencies. Players like Leipzig striker Timo Werner, Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can and Karim Adeyemi are taking a break from the national team but are not ruled out for future inclusion.
Nagelsmann emphasized that he had chosen a “large squad” to provide opportunities for players to showcase their hunger and talent. “Everyone has a chance to prove their determination,” he noted. As the German national team looks to regain its form and competitiveness, the return of experienced players like Mats Hummels signals a new phase under Julian Nagelsmann’s leadership.
