Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has come to the defence of Florian Wirtz, saying the 22-year-old midfielder's slow start at Liverpool is simply part of his adjustment to the Premier League.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann on Saturday pledged changes to his side for Sunday's crunch World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland in Cologne after falling to a 2-0 defeat in Slovakia.

Four-time world champions Germany have set their sights firmly on winning the 2026 World Cup, coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Wednesday ahead of their first qualifier against Slovakia on Thursday.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann on Thursday recalled the in-form Leon Goretzka and Karim Adeyemi to his squad for the two-legged Nations League quarter-final tie with Italy.

The Germans, already qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals set for March, crushed Bosnia and Herzegovina 7-0 on Saturday for a statement victory that secured first place in Group A3 ahead of the Netherlands with a game to spare.

Nagelsmann spent two years as manager of Red Bull-owned RB Leipzig before moving to Bayern Munich in 2021, becoming Germany manager in 2023.

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann said news of Marc-Andre ter Stegen's serious knee injury came as a major shock after the Barcelona goalkeeper underwent an operation that is expected to sideline him for at least eight months.

"It's sad that I'll probably never be a part of a home Euros in my career again," the coach said. "That hurts. And having to wait two years to become world champions, that hurts as well."

Spain have looked in imperious form in their four straight wins so far at Euro 2024, giving their eagerly anticipated quarterfinal match-up with hosts Germany on Friday the air of a "final before the final".

Hungary, considered by many the second-best side in the group, were soundly beaten 3-1 by Switzerland in their first game and will slide close to elimination should they lose again on Wednesday.

"The team is conscious that this was a first step," said Nagelsmann as Germany eye a record-breaking fourth European title.

Honorary Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness said it would be "a catastrophe" for Julian Nagelsmann if Germany are not successful at Euro 2024 after turning down the chance to return to his club.

Julian Nagelsmann has signed a contract extension with the German men's national team, the domestic football association said Friday, putting to bed speculation of a quick return to club football.

With two wins out of two against top-class opposition, Euro 2024 hosts Germany look to have found the right balance under coach Julian Nagelsmann with the tournament on the horizon.

Germany have regained their self-confidence after a 2-0 win against France last week three months before hosting Euro 2024, World Cup winner Philipp Lahm told AFP in an interview.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann on Thursday announced a much changed 26-man squad for their upcoming March friendlies, saying he wanted to bring a "fresh breeze" to the team three months out from the country hosting Euro 2024.

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel said he was not the only one responsible for his team's bad form and hoped the club's decision to part ways with him at the end of the season would liberate him and his players for the remainder of the campaign.

Coach Nagelsmann called the group "an interesting one in which we want to prevail".

Visitors Turkey shocked Euro 2024 hosts Germany 3-2 in a friendly on Saturday to spoil coach Julian Nagelsmann's home debut after taking the job in September.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said Friday his side was ready to "feel the emotion in the stands" ahead of Saturday's international friendly with Turkey in Berlin.