After the devastating quarterfinal loss to Spain in EURO 2024, Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann was tasked with replacing the leadership quartet of Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos, and İlkay Gündoğan. Ahead of the Nations League clash with Hungary, Nagelsmann named Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich as captain, along with Antonio Rüdiger and Kai Havertz as vice captains.
The new leadership group led Germany to a 5-0 victory over Hungary. Bayern’s Jamal Musiala was the star of the show with a goal, three assists, and several displays of spectacular dribbling and ball movement.
According to a report from Bild (via @iMiaSanMia), Germany’s new hierarchy has been revealed.
A few anomalies you might notice in the graphic — or informational that might differ from the previous report:
- Antonio Rüdiger, like third captain Kai Havertz, was not supposed to sit on the leadership council as something intentional that Nagelsmann wanted to do. So, there is a question about where exactly those two fall.
- Musiala’s picture appears over the name of Kai Havertz (Arsenal FC fans can only hope, right?)
As expected, Nagelsmann has rewarded seniority and the defensive core with higher positions. This will help alleviate some of the external pressure placed on the rising stars like Musiala, Aleksandar Pavlović and Florian Wirtz.
Looking for more thoughts and analysis of Germany’s 5-0 destruction of Hungary? Great, then check out the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show on Patreon, Spotify, or below:
