Struggling coach Nagelsmann fights against a historical series of defeats

The German national football team is gearing up for a crucial match against Northern Ireland, a game that carries significant weight for coach Julian Nagelsmann. A loss would mark the first time Nagelsmann has a losing streak of more than three games as coach of the German team, a feat that hasn't been achieved in over a century.

If the German team loses against Northern Ireland, it would also mark their fourth consecutive loss, a record not seen since 1913. In that year, the team suffered a seven-game losing streak, a stark reminder of the team's potential struggle.

Historically, a German team has not lost four consecutive games for over 100 years. The last time this happened was in 1913, a time when football was still in its infancy in Germany. Before 1913, Germany lost the first four international games in the history of the DFB in 1908 and 1909.

If Nagelsmann were to experience a losing streak of four games, he would become the first coach of the German national team with such a losing streak. Nagelsmann, who celebrates his small silver jubilee as coach of the German national team against Northern Ireland, had a four-game winless streak earlier in the year, including losses to Italy, Portugal, France, and Slovakia.

Nagelsmann's predecessor, Hansi Flick, stepped down as national coach after 25 international games due to five consecutive games without a win, which occurred between March and September 2023. Flick's tenure was marked by losses against Belgium, Ukraine, Poland, Colombia, and Japan.

A victory against Northern Ireland could help dispel doubts about the team's performance in the World Cup qualifiers. Nagelsmann aims to instil in his team the confidence of a winning team for the 2026 World Cup title, with Argentina and Spain as role models. The game is part of the World Cup qualifiers, making it a crucial match for both teams.

The upcoming game against Northern Ireland is significant for Nagelsmann, as a win could help dispel the doubts that have arisen due to the recent losing streak. Nagelsmann's last winning streak consisted of victories against Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Netherlands.

As the team prepares for the match, the pressure is on Nagelsmann to break the 100-year losing streak and lead the German national team to victory. The match against Northern Ireland promises to be an exciting and tense encounter, with both teams fighting for crucial points in the World Cup qualifiers.