Struggling Nagelsmann faces historical defeat run

Germany's World Cup Qualifiers: Nagelsmann Aims to Break Losing Streak

Julian Nagelsmann, the current coach of the German national football team, is facing a challenging task as they prepare for the World Cup qualifiers. With a potential fourth consecutive loss looming, Nagelsmann is determined to dispel doubts and lead the team to victory.

The German team's last three consecutive wins were against Bosnia-Herzegovina (2:1/7:0) and the Netherlands (1:0) in the Nations League group stage. However, since then, they have suffered three consecutive losses, starting with a 1:2 loss to Portugal and a 0:2 defeat against France in the final four of the UEFA competition in June. The most recent loss was a 0:2 defeat against Slovakia in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

If the team loses against Northern Ireland on Sunday (20:45 CET/RTL) in Cologne, it would mark a fourth consecutive loss, a feat not achieved by the German national team since 1913. In 1913, Germany lost seven consecutive games, with one of those losses being a draw against Hungary.

Nagelsmann is not the first DFB coach to face a losing streak. Hansi Flick, his predecessor, had a streak of five games without a win between March and September 2023. Before him, Otto Nerz, appointed Reichstrainer in 1926, experienced a similar struggle as there was no responsible coach for the national team in the modern sense prior to him.

Despite the challenges, Nagelsmann remains optimistic. He aims to instill in his team the mentality of a winning side, with the ultimate goal of World Cup victory in 2026. To achieve this, he looks to World Cup winners Argentina and European champions Spain as role models.

Nagelsmann celebrates his small silver jubilee as DFB head coach in the game against Northern Ireland. He took over from Hansi Flick, who had to step down after a series of losses following 25 international matches. Nagelsmann's tenure has not yet seen the team achieve more than three consecutive wins, with the last such streak happening in the autumn of last year in the Nations League group stage.

As the German national team prepares for the crucial game against Northern Ireland, the weight of history hangs heavy. Another loss could have historic implications for the team, as they strive to break the losing streak and return to the path of victory.