Paul Wanner: DFB talent torn between Germany and Austria!

Paul Wanner: DFB talent torn between Germany and Austria!

Paul Wanner, the 19-year-old top talent of FC Bayern Munich and the German football scene, is at the center of numerous discussions about his future sporting career. In the current 2024/25 season he is playing on loan for 1. FC Heidenheim and has already shown remarkable performances there in the autumn. As a flexible player, Wanner can play for both the German and Austrian national teams. He is currently preparing for the European Championship as part of the U21 national team, with Hermann Gerland, assistant coach of the U21 and experienced coach at FC Bayern Munich, paying particular attention to his development.

Gerland is very positive about Wanner's abilities and emphasizes the importance of telling him the truth. He tells of an anecdote in which he motivated Wanner to have a decisive influence on games. Meanwhile, Thomas Müller intervened to warn not to push Wanner too hard. Gerland has clear views on Wanner's possible move to the Austrian national team. Christoph Freund, FC Bayern's sporting director, would like to see Wanner in the ÖFB team, which increases the pressure on the German association.

Tension about national belonging

The situation surrounding Wanner is further complicated by the efforts of the Austrian national coach Ralf Rangnick. Rangnick personally invited Wanner to present him with a long-term plan up to the 2026 World Cup in order to persuade him to move to the ÖFB. Wanner was invited to an ÖFB perspective course in November. Despite these offers, Wanner has decided to play for the DFB for the time being. He has been called up for the Germany U18 national team and will take part in the upcoming international matches against France.

This decision also has an impact on Austria's European Championship qualification. Wanner will not take part in the decisive games against Azerbaijan and Estonia, which limits the ÖFB's squad planning. The 2020 regulation, which allows players to change associations under certain conditions, remains a critical point. Wanner could theoretically switch to the senior national team after one competitive game, provided he meets the requirements, which include a maximum of three games for one association and a time limit.

The DFB is now required to secure Wanner's services in the long term and to ensure that the talented player does not change associations. Rangnick has already announced that he will continue to monitor Wanner, which promises an exciting development for his footballing future. The next few months will be crucial, not only for Wanner, but also for the national teams vying for the young player.