Germany's 2026 World Cup preparations suffer hammer blow as key member of staff announces shock exit

The German Football Association (DFB) confirmed on Friday morning that Sandro Wagner will step down from his role as assistant coach of the national team in the summer of 2025, dealing a significant blow to Germany's preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Wagner's contract with Germany was actually set to run until after the 2026 World Cup. However, the 37-year-old will now leave the national team after the Nations League semi-finals in June to pursue a career as a head coach.

Since September 2023, Wagner has served as assistant to head coach Julian Nagelsmann, having previously worked with the Germany U20 team and briefly under Rudi Voller. Currently pursuing his DFB Pro License, Wagner is touted to be the next big thing in German coaching and turned down Bundesliga interest last year to remain with the national setup.

"Working as assistant coach of the German national team has been and continues to be a tremendous honour for me. I will always be grateful for this opportunity and am proud that we have achieved so much with a great coaching team," Wagner is quoted as saying in the DFB press release.

"The European Championship at home, in particular, will remain an unforgettable experience for me. But I want to take the next step soon. It's no secret that it's my great dream to work as a head coach myself one day. With the start of my football coaching training in January, this has become increasingly clear to me."

“I informed everyone involved about his in open and very helpful discussions. I’m grateful for their understanding. Together, we can now fully focus on our next big goal: winning the Nations League on home soil. I will give it my all.”

Meanwhile, Nagelsmann expressed understanding for the plans of his current assistant: "I can personally understand Sandro's desire to become head coach and respect his decision. We had a good and always transparent exchange about this," Nagelsmann emphasised.

DFB sporting director Voller echoed this sentiment and looked ahead: "I am sure that we will see Sandro back on the sidelines as head coach soon. He will go his own way!"

Wagner began his coaching career as a striker coach in the DFB's youth teams. In March 2021, he took over the U19 team at SpVgg Unterhaching, then rose to head coach of the first team at the Munich suburban club a few months later, leading them to promotion to the 3rd division in 2023.

After returning to the DFB as assistant coach of the U20 national team, he was promoted to assistant coach of the German senior national team following the dismissal of former national coach Hansi Flick in September 2023, leading the team alongside Nagelsmann to an inspiring home European Championship in 2024, among other achievements.

It is not yet clear where Wagner will end up. In January, he was touted as the successor to Nuri Sahin at Borussia Dortmund, but Niko Kovac ultimately took over that position. Wagner had also been repeatedly linked with other Bundesliga clubs such as Bayer Leverkusen.