“He convinced me to join Hoffenheim.”

As quoted by Michael Pfeiffer of Germany’s preeminent footballing publication, Grischa Prömel has issued comments on his special reunion with Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann. 

Grischa Prömel’s very first call-up to the senior German men’s national team earlier today left the 28-year-old feeling an acute sense of deja vu. The phone call came from the very same coach who once coached him as an “A-Level” Junior and once convinced him to join the TSG 1899 Hoffenheim academy. As quoted by Michael Pfeiffer of Germany’s Kicker Magazine, Prömel recounted a message he once received from current Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann some ten years ago.

“When Julian Nagelsmann called me on Sunday evening and told me I’d been nominated, I was very nervous on the phone,” Prömel is quoted as saying, Especially as I’d been in a similar situation with him before. Back then, I was still an U-19 player at Stuttgarter Kickers. Julian first sent me a WhatsApp and then called me to convince me to transfer to the TSG Hoffenheim academy. That’s what happened, only this time it was about being nominated for the German national team.”

Prömel – having transferred to the Karlsruher Spot Club in 2015 – actually never got a chance to serve under Nagelsmann’s coaching regime at the Hoffenheim senior level, which ran from through the 2016/17 to 2018/19 seasons. The former Germany U21 international nevertheless expressed his glee at finally getting the chance to work under Nagelsmann in this capacity. Prömel declar3ed himself “full of euphoria”.

“I’m just incredibly proud and infinitely grateful to be here for the first time,” Prömel said, “It’s an absolute honor for me, because what could be greater than being able to represent your country?” said the 28-year-old, “It’s definitely a dream come true for me. And then there are such outstanding international matches like the ones against Turkey and in Austria. I’m certainly full of euphoria and looking forward to my time with the DFB.”

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