National soccer team: Nagelsmann regrets Undav statements: I allowed myself to be triggered

“At that moment I just let myself be a little triggered by a lot of questions about one and the same topic. It wasn’t right and the severity was far too bold for the public. And then I said: “That was stupid of me, I’m sorry,” said Nagelsmann in the interview format “Best Cast” by Magenta (Thursday, 7 p.m.), from which various media report in advance.

Undav als Reizthema

After Undav’s late 2-1 winning goal as a joker against Ghana at the end of March, the national coach implied that the 29-year-old did not have sufficient quality as a starting eleven and briefly spoke of the “seven-day constant topic of Deniz Undav”.

“If he marches for 70 minutes beforehand, I don’t know whether he’ll take it in like that. It was a long step, which can be difficult for him after 70 minutes – even considering the summer when it’s 42 degrees,” said Nagelsmann after the game.

Undav had stated several times that he thought more playing time was appropriate and was not satisfied with the role assigned to him as a World Cup backup. “Of course I would like to change it, but I’m not the decision-maker, I’m the national coach. And as I said, that has to be respected,” said Undav after the Ghana game.

“It was an unnecessary sentence”: Nagelsmann apologized to Undav

Now Nagelsmann assured that his plans could still change. “In March the status was that he was a challenger and that he could play a good role as a joker. He did that. Something can always change in this role. But that doesn’t just affect Deniz, but all players,” said the 38-year-old.

The discussion was also due to the feedback from his partner Lena Wurzenberger, said Nagelsmann. “Yes, I advise you to do that too,” she told him when he told her about a planned call to Undav.

He doesn’t see any dissonance with Undav. “It was an unnecessary sentence, for which I apologized to Deniz the next day. Thank God he accepted it and everything is fine between us,” said Nagelsmann. For the central striker position, the national coach is planning to have Kai Havertz as a regular and Nick Woltemade as the first substitute.

Different qualities required

Nagelsmann countered the impression that performance was not the primary criterion when selecting World Cup players. But there are also other components that are important for a World Cup call-up. “First of all, everyone is nominated because they have the athletic ability to play good games for us. That is above all else. But then there are players who have other skills beyond that,” said the national coach.

In this context he also mentioned the VfB striker. “Deniz Undav has an incredible sense of humor. Pascal Groß is someone who thinks like a coach. Waldemar Anton gets along with everyone and has a good feel for a group. He’s a quiet leader,” said Nagelsmann about some World Cup candidates.