Tearful Germany coach lauds his team's example for German society at Euro 2024
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has struggled to hold back tears as he talked about his team’s exit from the European Championship
BERLIN (AP) — Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann struggled to hold back tears Saturday as he talked about his team’s exit from the European Championship the night before.
He said Germany's performances at Euro 2024 and going toe-to-toe with Spain on Friday showed the benefit of collective work and social cooperation — though he lamented the cruel end after Spain substitute Mikel Merino scored in the last minute of extra time to send his team to the semifinals.
“We would have liked to have given the fans more, to stay a while longer, played good football, successful football, and we’d have like to have collected the title,” Nagelsmann said.
“I said we’d need the people of the country behind us, because we know we simply weren’t good at the last tournaments, that we as a team, as a federation, didn’t give much back to the people of the country from a sporting perspective,” Nagelsmann said. “And from the last matches, I think the fans realized that we want to achieve something and change things.”
