Former Nagelsmann assistant: Bundesliga blockbuster! Sandro Wagner becomes new coach in Augsburg

FC Augsburg has pulled off a real coup by hiring Sandro Wagner as their new coach . The current assistant to national team coach Julian Nagelsmann will succeed Dane Jess Thorup and has a contract until summer 2028. The club confirmed this to the German Press Agency. Sky and Bild also reported on the appointment.

The Swabians parted ways with Thorup and sporting director Marinko Jurendic after a multi-day season review. Rumors about signing Wagner had been circulating for some time.

Wagner (37) announced at the end of April that he would be leaving the German Football Association after the Nations League Final Four from June 4 to 8. "I want to take the next step soon. It's no secret that it's my great dream to work as a head coach myself someday. With the start of my football coaching training in January, this became increasingly clear to me," said the former striker.

Wagner didn't want to wait any longer for the World Cup, with its title chances in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. "I can personally understand Sandro's desire to become head coach and respect his decision," said national coach Nagelsmann.

The eight-time national player was constantly being talked about by major clubs. Whether it was struggling German giants Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen as Xabi Alonso's successor, or RB Leipzig under Jürgen Klopp's boss, Wagner turned down his offer from his former club, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, some time ago.

Now FC Augsburg has been awarded the contract, having already caused a stir more than six years ago with a coaching appointment when former national team goalkeeper Jens Lehmann became assistant coach. However, this collaboration lasted only two and a half months.

Before this season, Augsburg's managing director Michael Ströll had expressed his desire to finally shed the image of the grey mouse in their 14th Bundesliga season.

But just as in the 2023/24 season, when five defeats in the final spurt cost them a place in the European Championship, FC Augsburg collapsed again. After four consecutive defeats, the team led by captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw finished the season in twelfth place. Following the 2-1 defeat to Union Berlin, Augsburg announced their season review—with serious personnel changes.

Wagner successfully coached SpVgg Unterhaching for two years, leaving after promotion to the 3. Liga in 2023. Since September of that year, he served as Nagelsmann's assistant coach alongside Benjamin Glück. Previously, he served as assistant coach of the U20 national team and had already played a senior international match with head coach Hannes Wolf under then-interim team manager Rudi Völler.

In Thorup, a popular coach had to leave Augsburg. The people-oriented Dane had taken over from Enrico Maaßen in October 2023 and led the Fuggerstadt club solidly. However, he was unable to instill an exhilarating style of play in the team and instead opted for a defensive approach. This way, FC Augsburg at least avoided relegation. Wagner is now expected to make the team significantly more attractive.