Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has banned player agents and advisors from the team’s Euro 2024 training headquarters in a bid to keep stars focused on the competition.
Players are competing at the European Championship amidst the backdrop of the global summer transfer market being open and teams looking to strengthen with new arrivals.
Negotiations between clubs across Europe continue to be held as pre-season preparations continue and players not competing in Germany resting after the conclusion of league campaigns.
Agents wanting to discuss plans with the players they represent are typically given exclusive access whenever is required, but no face-to-face consultations are being held in Germany’s camp.
Nagelsmann is preparing the hosting nation for a last-16 clash against Denmark – who qualified as runners-up in the same group as England – and wants players to not be put off by visits from non-team members.
Explaining his decision to implement a ban, former Bayern Munich manager, Nagelsmann, said: ‘There are clear rules about who is allowed to enter the home ground and who is not.
‘The advisors are also among the persons who do not enter. All the players know that, the agents know that too.
He continued: ‘It’s normal for the players to think about their future, I’ve emphasised that many times. Every player is old enough to know when the focus is on the game.’
Germany were amongst the most impressive teams during the group stage, dominating Scotland and beating Hungary before a draw with Switzerland.
However, in order to deliver on their status amongst the tournament favourites, Germany must overcome tough tests against other big-hitters.
Saturday’s match against Denmark is a stern test for Nagelsmann’s squad and while he doesn’t want anyone to become distracted, he did accept players futures couldn’t be ‘put on hold’.
‘It’s much more difficult for a player to deal with it when he doesn’t know what’s going to happen in the new season than when he does.
‘He doesn’t have the impression that a player is too distracted – otherwise he wouldn’t play. ‘Uncertainty is more unsettling than having security,’
‘There is too much at stake in terms of transfers for everyone involved for that to be put on hold. I’m not wasting energy or tedious thoughts,’ he added.
