Confession: Sandro Wagner: Will remain assistant coach of the DFB team until the 2026 World Cup

Sandro Wagner “definitely” wants to remain assistant coach of the German national soccer team until the 2026 World Cup. He ruled out a change beforehand, as the 37-year-old told Spiegel in an interview. He has no intention of working as an assistant to national coach Julian Nagelsmann at the German Football Association (DFB) forever: “But at the moment it’s perfect for me, I can learn a lot from the top people around me. The 2026 World Cup is a cool goal.”

At the end of last year, Wagner was considered, among other things, as a coaching candidate at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and most recently as a possible successor to the ailing Nuri Sahin at Borussia Dortmund.

DFB sports director Rudi Völler had already stated last September that Wagner would remain an assistant coach until at least 2026 and would not move to a Bundesliga club prematurely. The former national player took over the job as assistant coach in the DFB team in September 2023.

Wagner: I want to prove myself

What is clear, however, is that the former center forward is aiming for a role as head coach. “I feel that this job suits me perfectly. And my years as a coach so far have gone really well,” said Wagner and added. “If someone reads this now, they can say: The guy has to prove himself first! That’s what I sign. I want to prove that. But I have basic trust in myself.”

Before his involvement with the DFB, Wagner coached the then fourth division club Spielvereinigung Unterhaching and led them to promotion in 2023. Next week he will begin his training to become a football teacher.