Julian Nagelsmann: How former Bayern Munich boss fared on Germany bow

Julian Nagelsmann knew that he would be judged on his debut as Germany's national team manager before his team had even kicked a ball.

The prodigious young coach made a name for himself with a vibrant, attacking brand of football at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig but was routinely mocked for his fashion choices. After the 2020 Champions League semi-final, for instance, former Bayern Munich star Mehmet Scholl sneered that Nagelsmann "looked like he had shot my sofa" with a snazzy suit.

Up against the United States as Germany build towards a home European Championships next summer, Nagelsmann opened with a 3-1 win and - more importantly for some - an open, light blue checked flannel shirt over a conservative navy number. Thomas Muller approved. "I have something like that at home," the veteran forward smiled.

But were Nagelsmann's side as well received as his outfit?

How Germany earned Nagelsmann victory

Long before the end of Hansi Flick's bleak tenure as Germany's head coach, the joy of playing for the national team had seeped out of the players reluctantly accepting their call-up. For Nagelsmann, this was a chief area of concern.

"The basic thing for me is that they have fun," the 36-year-old manager said after a suitably entertaining game. "The national team is not an everyday thing, but something to be passionate about, that's what I want to see and that was good."

The spectators in Hartford, Connecticut and beyond certainly would have enjoyed the open affair. While the defensive issues that undermined Flick's reign were still present - Christian Pulisic's brilliant opener curled into the top corner was preceded by a flurry of non-tackles - Germany regained an attacking sharpness that had been desperately lacking for months.

Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, arguably two of the most talented 20-year-olds in the world, were able to start alongside the royally in-form Leroy Sane for the first time ever.

Yet, as is often the case for international teams that can’t lean upon the transfer market, Germany's squad is uneven. Nagelsmann has a glut of elite players for only two positions behind the fleet-footed trio of Sane, Musiala and Wirtz.

Ilkay Gundogan looks to have already nailed down one of those starting berths. Unprompted, Nagelsmann gushed that his captain "performed excellently, was always demanding the ball and was good defensively" after watching the Barcelona midfielder follow up Sane's dribble to cancel out Pulisic's opener.

In the absence of an unwell Joshua Kimmich, Pascal Gross surprisingly started ahead of Leon Goretzka - one of the manager's trusted generals at Bayern. Nagelsmann cited the influence of Roberto De Zerbi, Gross' Brighton coach, as a factor behind the inclusion of "a very knowledgeable and intelligent footballer".

Niclas Fullkrug was hurriedly called up for the 2022 World Cup squad without a single cap to his name and is still adapting to international football at 30 years of age. After a leaden-footed start against the US, Fullkrug grew into a more complex role, tucking Germany into a 2-1 lead after the interval, but didn't exactly convince Nagelsmann that the nation's No 9 problem was solved.

"Obviously, it would be nice if you had 20 centre-forwards to pick from," Nagelsmann shrugged after the match, "but we have a few very capable centre-forwards and a few around them."

Ultimately, Nagelsmann fairly conceded: "Our performance wasn't completely perfect, but that's a good thing - I like to work hard."

Germany's upcoming fixtures

Many back in the Bundesliga - including Nagelsmann's successor at Bayern Munich, Thomas Tuchel - have openly questioned why the DFB scheduled a trip to the US in the middle of the club season.

Four days after Germany's clash with Gregg Berhalter's hosts, Nagelsmann will lead his new side to Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field for a friendly against Mexico. Jaime Lozano's team managed an uncharacteristically comfortable victory against Ghana on Sunday and have fond memories of facing Germany. The last time these two nations clashed, Hirving Lozano nabbed the only goal in a group-stage win at the 2018 World Cup.

Nagelsmann warned the squad "will then maybe be a bit different in November" for friendlies closer to home. Germany go up against Turkey in Berlin on 18 November before a short trip across the border to Vienna for a clash with Austria three days later.

Euro 2024 begins on 14 June with Germany's opening group game at the Allianz Arena.

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