Julian Nagelsmann Picked Up the Phone: A Pact Reportedly Made Between the National Coach and VfB Striker Deniz Undav
Discussions surrounding Deniz Undav's role in the German national team intensified during the recent international break. Now, an agreement between the player and head coach Julian Nagelsmann is expected to bring calm to the situation.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann (38) and VfB Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav (29) have reportedly reached an understanding to halt the public debate concerning Undav's position in the national squad.
Following the 2-1 victory in the friendly match against Ghana, Nagelsmann reportedly called Undav. During this "reconciliatory conversation," they agreed not to fuel further media discussions about Undav's role with additional public statements.
The aim is to prevent new speculation and de-escalate the matter.
Deniz Undav: "Everything is good between us"
This arrangement became necessary due to the intense debate among fans and experts regarding Undav's standing with Nagelsmann. Despite being the most prolific German attacker this season with 36 scorer points (23 goals, 13 assists in 39 games), Nagelsmann primarily sees Undav in a joker role and not as a starter for the upcoming World Cup.
After scoring the winning goal against Ghana as a substitute, Undav expressed hope that he could change his role through further performances. Nagelsmann, however, indicated that this was unlikely and that such statements only put undue pressure on Undav himself.
Former national player Stefan Effenberg criticized Nagelsmann's public remarks, emphasizing that such topics should be discussed internally, not publicly.
Despite the public debate, the relationship between Undav and Nagelsmann is described as intact and characterized by great openness.
Undav confirmed this after his team's 0-2 loss against BVB: "I don't want to comment further on the topic. The matter is settled, everything is good between us."
Deniz Undav: National Team Record
| Appearances | 90-minute appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
Fresh materials — Serie A

Kylian Mbappé Overtakes Lionel Messi as World Cup's All-Time Top Scorer
Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi engaged in a high-stakes race for the World Cup's all-time top scorer record during the 2026 tournament. SPOX takes a look at the updated rankings. On July 8, 2014, a historic moment in German football unfolded, not just because of the German national team's d

Rodri Named Best Player of the 2026 World Cup, Messi Misses Out on Golden Ball
Rodri, Spain's midfield strategist, has been officially named the best player of the 2026 World Cup. Despite a stellar tournament, Argentina's captain Lionel Messi was surprisingly overlooked for the Golden Ball award. The World Cup was a stage for absolute superstars and prolific strikers,

Leandro Paredes' Controversial Actions Mar World Cup Final
Leandro Paredes' performance in the World Cup final was far from commendable, culminating in his expulsion from the pitch after the final whistle. Shortly after being substituted in at halftime for Nico Gonzalez, Paredes demonstrated unsportsmanlike conduct. In the 51st minute, he cynically

Argentina Sets Historic Negative Record in World Cup Final Against Spain
The 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, marked by a remarkably uneventful first half, saw Argentina establish a new negative record. The Albiceleste continued to add to their list of concerning statistics as the match progressed. According to data provider Opta, only three s

Lionel Messi Joins Elite Club with Third World Cup Final Appearance
Lionel Messi has become the second player in football history to feature in three World Cup finals. After appearances in 2014 (lost 1-0 to Germany after extra time) and 2022 (won 4-2 on penalties against France), he was on the pitch for the kickoff of the match between Argentina and Spain on S

Unprecedented World Cup Final Halftime Show Takes Historic Proportions
The World Cup final was punctuated by an extended 27-minute halftime break, a departure from the usual 15 minutes in football regulations. This unusual length was dedicated to a grand spectacle, inspired by the Super Bowl's halftime show, and was eagerly anticipated, particularly with the perf