News (engl.)

The DFB have extended the contract of Germany U21 head coach Antonio Di Salvo by a further two years until 31st July 2027. The 45-year-old will therefore remain in charge of the U21s after this year’s European Championship tournament in Slovakia (11th-28th June).

Men’s Senior National Team Director Rudi Völler said: “I’m pleased that Toni Di Salvo is staying in charge of our U21s beyond the European Championship in the summer. Toni and his coaching staff have managed to build a brilliant side out of a team that changes every two years, and have also helped individual players to steadily develop. The senior national team themselves benefit from having players who have been well-taught and made the step up from the U21s. Toni’s now preparing for a difficult challenge at the U21 EUROs, which unfortunately will clash with the expanded Club World Cup. We’re all convinced that he’ll navigate this successfully.”

Germany will face Slovenia, Czechia and England in the group stage of the European U21 Championship, which will take place in Slovakia in June. Germany qualified for the tournament in impressive fashion after winning their group without losing a game. Before the final tournament, the first international break of the year (17th-26th March) will see them play friendly matches away against Slovakia (21st March, 18:00 CET) and at home to Spain (25th March, 20:30 CET).

Rettig: “With his contract extension, we wanted to lay down a marker before the EUROs.”

Andreas Rettig, Managing Director for Sport at DFB GmbH & Co. KG, added: “Toni Di Salvo is rated very highly by the DFB, both for his work with the U21s and as a coach for our other youth sides. With his contract extension, we wanted to lay down a marker before the EUROs in Slovakia in June and make sure that there will be continuity in this important position. This ensures that there will be a connection with the senior team as well as constant communication with the other youth sides. We’re looking forward to working together in the coming years.”

After completing his coaching badges, former player Di Salvo became an assistant coach with the Germany U19s in 2013, and helped them win the 2014 European Championship. He then served as an assistant to U21 head coach Stefan Kuntz from 2016 until 2021, winning two more EUROs titles. In summer 2021, Di Salvo, who has held a DFB Pro Licence since 2018, was promoted to head coach of the Germany U21s.

Antonio Di Salvo himself said: “I’m looking forward to the tasks ahead with the U21s, including the upcoming games in the March international break and obviously the EUROs in Slovakia in June. The chance to build a new team in the future and continue to help with the development of Germany’s national sides is a challenge for me that I can’t wait to take on. I’d like to thank my coaches and all of the staff at the U21s for putting their trust in me to face these challenges. We’ll be full of motivation to work hard and achieve as much success as possible.”