Julian Nagelsmann looks beyond football and has spoken out in favor of social commitment against political extremes.
“I believe that it is right that many people take to the streets and demonstrate against the right. I think it is extremely important that everyone goes to vote, that everyone expresses their opinion not only in rallies, but also by voting of ballot papers, because when there is a high voter turnout, it becomes increasingly difficult for these extremes to prevail,” said the national coach in an interview on Magenta TV.
The head coach of the national team spoke out in favor of dealing openly with immigrants and against exclusion. “Everyone who comes into the country is responsible for integrating into society, but we as a society are also responsible for taking people in, making their way into society easier, and standing by with open arms,” demanded Nagelsmann in the statement An hour-long conversation with Johannes B. Kerner, which also covered topics outside of sport around seven weeks before the home European Championship kicked off.
Formative experience in Africa
Nagelsmann reported on a trip to Africa, where the people gave him a warm welcome. “It was wonderful and people who come to us and want to stay permanently expect exactly the same thing,” he said. The football coach warned that shifting responsibility to politicians was too short-sighted. Everyone is responsible for doing their part against extremism. “I’m glad that there are people who are resisting this in our country, that’s very, very important,” said Nagelsmann.
He is happy to be able to live in Germany and feels proud when the national anthem is played before international matches. “We live in a beautiful country, with an incredible landscape, from north to south with different images, with great people, with beautiful cities, with a high level of security. We are mostly doing very, very well in the country,” said Nagelsmann. That’s why he likes to be photographed with the German flag.
Tears allowed during the national anthem
For him, emotions during the anthem are an expression of this positive attitude towards his home country. “I am one of the generation of men who allow themselves to cry and you can shed a tear when the national anthem plays,” said Nagelsmann.
He sang along to the anthem not only as a national coach, but also as a fan. This now protects him from a possible faux pas on the sidelines. “The first time in particular was very, very formative. You’re a bit nervous, you say, you actually know the text, you’ve known it for a long time, nothing can happen, it’s happened to completely different people “I’ve always gotten through it well,” said Nagelsmann.
