Julian Nagelsmann is the tactical wunderkind charged with restoring Germany to the summit of world football. Once the youngest manager in Bundesliga history, he is now rebuilding the national team around a gifted young core as he leads them into the 2026 World Cup. For the bigger picture, see our World Cup 2026 hub.
Who is Julian Nagelsmann?
Nagelsmann’s own playing career was ended by knee injuries before it could begin, pushing him into coaching while still in his early 20s. He rose with astonishing speed, and in 2016 he took charge of Hoffenheim at the age of 28, becoming the youngest permanent manager in Bundesliga history, a record that still defines his reputation.
A rapid rise through the game
From Hoffenheim, Nagelsmann moved to RB Leipzig, whom he took to the Champions League semi-finals in 2020, before earning a move to Bayern Munich. He won the Bundesliga at Bayern before being dismissed in 2023 and replaced by Thomas Tuchel, a setback that did little to dent his standing as one of the brightest coaching minds in the game.
Julian Nagelsmann’s managerial honours
For all his reputation as a tactician, Nagelsmann’s medal haul was built largely in his time at Bayern Munich. His major honours are below.
| Team | Honours |
|---|---|
| Bayern Munich | Bundesliga (2021-22), DFL-Supercup (2021, 2022) |
The honours tell only part of the story: a Champions League semi-final with Leipzig and that record-breaking Hoffenheim appointment mark him out as one of the most influential young coaches of his era.
Rebuilding Germany
Nagelsmann was appointed Germany head coach in September 2023, tasked with reviving a team that had stagnated. As hosts at Euro 2024 they reached the quarter-finals, going out 2-1 after extra time to eventual champions Spain, a performance that restored belief. He has since built the side around its dazzling young talents, Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, and signed a contract through to Euro 2028.
Germany and the World Cup 2026 mission
Germany are among the favourites for the World Cup 2026, and Nagelsmann has them playing with freedom and pace, built around Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz in attack. For our wider coverage, see the World Cup 2026 final predictions and the World Cup 2026 hub.
How Nagelsmann set up against Curacao
Germany’s opener was a statement of attacking intent. Nagelsmann set the team up in a 4-2-3-1 and they ran riot, thrashing Curacao 7-1 with Jamal Musiala among the scorers alongside a Kai Havertz double, Felix Nmecha, Nico Schlotterbeck, Noah Brown and Deniz Undav. It was exactly the fluent, high-scoring football he was hired to deliver.
Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup 2026 start
Few teams made a more emphatic start than Germany, who put seven past Curacao in their opener. For Nagelsmann, it was the perfect way to set the tone, and a reminder of the firepower at his disposal as Germany look to go deep.
19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON) — see your province’s helpline for resources elsewhere.
Julian Nagelsmann is a German football coach and the head coach of Germany’s men’s national team since September 2023. He became the youngest manager in Bundesliga history at 28 and has managed Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich.
Nagelsmann won the Bundesliga and two German Super Cups with Bayern Munich. He also reached the Champions League semi-finals with RB Leipzig in 2020.
He was appointed Germany head coach in September 2023, succeeding Hansi Flick, and led the hosts to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals before guiding them to the 2026 World Cup.
Germany thrashed Curacao 7-1 in their opener, with Jamal Musiala among the scorers, in an emphatic statement of attacking intent under Nagelsmann.