He Dropped Him as Number One Before the World Cup. Baumann Speaks Out on Nagelsmann Call

During the World Cup qualifiers, Oliver Baumann was Julian Nagelsmann's first choice, playing all six matches. Germany recorded five wins and one loss in those games, yet the coach ultimately decided to bring Manuel Neuer back into the national squad.

The 2026 World Cup brought numerous disappointments for German football, culminating in a Round of 16 exit against Paraguay after a penalty shootout. However, Oliver Baumann had to come to terms with a tough blow even before the tournament began. "Of course, I had to swallow that. I had this big goal in front of me," admitted the 36-year-old goalkeeper.

"He also felt bad about how it all turned out in the end. We agreed to talk on the phone. I told him everything that was on my mind. It wasn't emotional or condescending or arrogant at all, but completely factual.

We still have a very good relationship, and we did before. Sporting decisions are simply accepted, and for me, that closes the chapter," stated the Hoffenheim goalkeeper.

According to Kicker, during the training camp in Seefeld, Austria, he added that the phone conversation with the former German national team coach lasted over an hour.

Oliver Baumann knows the coach, who was forced to resign after the unsuccessful championship, from their time together at his current club. As the German goalkeeper has been loyal to Hoffenheim since 2014, he also experienced the period when Julian Nagelsmann led the first team in Sinsheim as head coach from 2016 to 2019.