Bayern Munich youngster Paul Wanner’s international future has been the subject of many, countless rumors. But the player clearly is struggling to decide which of Austria or Germany to represent. So far, Austria and head coach Ralf Rangnick have been the ones in close contact with Wanner, trying to convince him to join the dark side the Euro 2024 Round-of-16 participants.
So far, Wanner — on loan this season at FC Heidenheim — has resisted a call up to Austria’s senior team. But now Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann, who gave Wanner his debut at Bayern Munich back in 2022, has reached out to Wanner and offer him a spot in the Germany squad. But @iMiaSanMia captures a report stating that he was turned down as well:
Paul Wanner has rejected a Germany senior call-up for the upcoming Nations League games this month, much to Julian Nagelsmann’s surprise. Wanner wants to continue playing for Germany U21s for now, giving himself more time before making a final decision on his international future
Also, @iMiaSanMia captured a follow up report, adding more detail to the conversation between Wanner and the former Bayern Munich coach:
Julian Nagelsmann called Paul Wanner on Tuesday. In an appreciative conversation, the coach wanted to use the call-up to show Wanner his prospects for the 2026 World Cup and give him the chance to get familiar with the team. Wanner was happy that Nagelsmann had him on his radar. In the end, however, he decided to continue with the U21s and play the U21 Euros in the summer as one of the key players in the team. In addition, he wants to continue to prove himself in the Bundesliga and wait until next year to make a decision about his international future. Austria is still an option for him.
Beyond the signals Wanner is sending to both Austria and Germany with these rejections and the obvious debate about which country he eventually chooses, one has to wonder if Wanner may have missed the boat here.
Nagelsmann has shown his willingness to experiment with new players, but he is also very willing to move on from them if they do not take their chance. If Wanner was not even willing to join the squad this time, how much patience will Nagelsmann have for him in the future?
