Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann reveals father was a German spy and that he later took his own life
Sport
Julian Naglesmann, Germany’s national soccer team manager, opened up about the death of his father in an interview with Der Spiegel, revealing he was a German spy and later took his own life.
“(In school) I said what I always believed he was earlier: a professional soldier. Even my grandfather believed his son was a soldier,” Nagelsmann told the German publication.
It wasn’t until the former Bayern Munich manager was 15 or 16 that he learned his father worked for the secret service, he said.
He recalled finding out that his father had committed suicide while on a coaching course near Munich and grappling with the “difficult” aftermath.
Naglesmann also spoke about traits he learned from his father that he believes influence his coaching style today, a style that has allowed him to become the youngest permanent head coach in the history of Germany’s top soccer division aged 28, as well as leading Bayern Munich to a Bundesliga title and being appointed Germany’s manager for the 2024 Euros.
He was sacked by Bayern Munich in March 2023 during his second season in charge after the club slipped from the top of the Bundesliga table.
“Right at the beginning of my career, I simply did things without consideration of the impact they would have,” Nagelsmann said. “In my first game as Bundesliga coach at TSG Hoffenheim, I fielded four penalties. Everyone thought I was insane, but we got an important point. Now, I weigh things up more. But the courage to make decisions, that I definitely get from my dad.”
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