Ilkay Gündogan, the former captain of the German national football team, expressed strong faith in Julian Nagelsmann’s squad ahead of the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Writing in a column for the “Spiegel”, the 35-year-old stated that he even believes the German team could emerge as a positive surprise of the tournament, attributing this optimism primarily to Nagelsmann.
Gündogan noted that he appreciates coaches who are slightly unconventional or “uncomfortable,” even if their methods occasionally frustrate him. He singled out Julian Nagelsmann as one such figure. For Gündogan, an essential quality in a coach is authenticity. He argues that players must feel that the trainer is genuinely who they claim to be; otherwise, trust will erode and players will fail to follow his lead. He views this honesty as the cornerstone of successful coaching.
Furthermore, Gündogan stressed that clear internal dynamics are particularly critical in a tournament setting. He highlighted that “team hygiene” is one of the most important, yet often underestimated, factors for achievement, crediting Nagelsmann for consistently ensuring this standard.
A veteran of the game, Gündogan previously led the DFB team at Euro 2024 in Germany. He boasts 82 international appearances and was a part of four major tournaments for the federation. His club career includes winning the Champions League in 2023 and securing five English league titles with Manchester City. Before his current role, he played under highly successful coaches such as Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, Joachim Löw, and Hansi Flick. Since 2025, the central midfielder has been playing for the traditional Turkish club, Galatasaray Istanbul.
