Julian Nagelsmann denies he ‘badmouthed’ Northern Irish football | OneFootball

German national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann has responded directly to the recent criticisms of Northern Ireland’s Michael O’Neill. Nagelsmann’s team boarded a flight to Belfast on Sunday ahead of a crucial World Cup qualifying fixtures against O’Neill’s Nord Iron. Nagelsmann, in his own mind at least, bought to set the record straight.

Nagelsmann found himself in hot water during last month’s international break after he made some arrogant comments about the state of Northern Irish football. As soon as his team completed their 4-0 win over Luxembourg in the first of the October international break’s qualifying fixtures, Nagelsmann attempted to speak more respectfully of his upcoming opponent.

“They’re a feisty team,” Nagelsmann said of the next nation his squad is due to face whilst speaking at the Friday post match press conference. “And then in Belfast with the fans, who are very emotional. It’ll be a different ball game than today.”

“There were some talk that I had badmouthed Northern Irish football, but I didn’t,” Nagelsmann added as he prepared to board a plane bound for the Isle on Sunday “I clearly stated that the long balls they play are extremely difficult to defend against.“

GGFN | Peter Weis