Keeping an Open Mind: Germany Coach Julian Nagelsmann Says He Would Not Bar Saudi Pro League-Based Players From the National Team
In a recent press conference, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann indicated that his team selections would be based on players’ form even if they played in the Saudi Pro League. The comments came days after The Netherlands manager, Ronald Koeman, indicated that Steven Bergwijn would not be considered for selection after joining Al Ittihad.
According to Nagelsmann, while the Saudi Pro League might have a lower profile than the top European leagues, players can still offer high levels of performance that warrant their selection to the national team.
His sentiments can be supported by the stellar performances of players like N’Golo Kante, who was a key player for France at EURO 2024. Cristiano Ronaldo is another Saudi-based player who has continued to defy age as he hit milestone after milestone, with the latest one being scoring 900 senior goals and being the first player to do so.
Earlier, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman criticized Steven Bergwijn’s decision to join Al Ittihad from Ajax, noting that he would no longer be part of the national team. An understandably angry Bergwijn then noted that the manager could have shared his sentiments privately but instead chose to air them in public. He also concluded that he would not be available to play for the national team as long as Koeman was the manager.
On his part, Nagelsmann noted that decisions should be based purely on sporting reasons when calling up players. He also added that the Bundesliga wasn’t a top league when it started in 1963 either. The Saudi Pro League still has a long way to go to raise the level of competition and square up against the top European leagues, but for now, it is evident that it’s causing waves both positive and negative in equal measure.
