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• Julian Nagelsmann to stay on as Germany coach until after 2026 World Cup

  Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has signed a new contract to extend his role until after the 2026 World Cup.

  Former Bayern Munich boss Nagelsmann was appointed in September last year as successor to Hansi Flick, who was sacked after a poor run of results.

  The German FA said: “The 36-year-old’s new contract runs until the conclusion of the next FIFA World Cup in 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico. In September last year, Nagelsmann initially signed a contract up to and including EURO 2024.”

  Germany, who are hosting the European Championships in June and July, have won their last two friendly internationals, beating France 2-0 in Lyon and the Netherlands 2-1 in Frankfurt last month.

  Nagelsmann said: “It’s a decision of the heart. It’s a great honour to be able to coach the national team and work with the best players in the country.

  “With successful, passionate performances, we have the chance to sweep an entire country along. The two victories against France and the Netherlands in March gave a foretaste of this.

  “I was very touched by the enthusiasm of the fans. Together we now want to play a successful home European Championship, we are all burning for it.

  “After that, I’m really looking forward to the challenge of a World Cup together with my coaching team.”

  Nagelsmann began his managerial career aged 28 at Hoffenheim before securing Champions League football with Leipzig, and succeeded Flick as boss at Bayern Munich in 2021.

• UK Sport deputy says ‘right decision’ to ditch World Cup bid and host Euro 2028

  UK Sport’s deputy chief insists abandoning a potential joint UK and Ireland bid for the 2030 World Cup in favour of focusing on Euro 2028 was the “right decision”.

  The 2030 tournament has now been awarded to Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with three South American nations staging the opening matches to mark the tournament’s centenary, while England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will co-host the European Championships in four years’ time.

  A Women’s World Cup was added to UK Sport’s latest list of 70 hosting  targets for events up to 2040, unveiled on Tuesday, and while the funding body executive acknowledged that there “is no stated aspiration” to secure the men’s equivalent within a specific time frame, he did not rule out the possibility of the competition landing on a future list.

  UK Sport deputy CEO Simon Morton said: “I think when we think back to the bidding landscape over the last year or two in FIFA, one of the considerations that the FAs had to reflect on was whether the World Cup was winnable, and we had to think about every single event that we move forward with.

  “I think it was the right decision, because we were quickly able to move those plans that had been built around the World Cup to secure, although it’s the Euros, a genuinely global tournament, and I think securing that for the UK and the unique partnership that sits alongside it, the four UK home countries and the Republic of Ireland, I think that was the big prize here.

  “So I reflect on that and think it was a positive move.”

  UK Sport invests both National Lottery and government funding to enable the bidding and staging of what it deems to be “strategically important” international sporting events hosted in the United Kingdom.

  The most expensive and large-scale of their top event targets – like the Women’s World Cup – that exceed the organisation’s budget, also require additional financial support from the involved home nation governments. 

  Many of the target events are initially classed in the commitment-free “opportunity” category,  which, for those deemed suitable to advance to the next phase, is followed by a feasibility study exploring factors such as venue selection, budget and chances of competitive success. 

  Morton reiterated that a men’s World Cup is “not on our list at this (2024-2040) timeframe” and, when asked if the aspiration would be to host one in the 2040s, replied: “That’s not what we’re saying.

  “There isn’t a stated aspiration to host the men’s World Cup in a specific year from our perspective, but as this programme evolves, as it moves into the next three or four years, perhaps that comes onto our list.

  “I mean, that’s principally an issue for the football associations, who also need to decide on whether a bid goes ahead or not.”

  The latest UK Sport update accompanies a new strategic framework for major events, which places a heavy emphasis on social impact and access.

  The international hosting landscape has evolved and become more competitive, particularly in the case of Saudi Arabia, who look certain to host the 2034 World Cup after emerging as the sole bidder.

  Morton added: “With the rise of Saudi money and what they are doing, it certainly feels as though the role of Saudi and its presence on the global competition circuit is becoming normalised, certainly over the last 12 to 24 months.

  “This is why the UK needs to respond. This is part of the reason that we are setting out the plans that we are today.”

• Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola urges Erling Haaland to relax

  Pep Guardiola has told Erling Haaland to focus more on getting his body language right than scoring goals.

  The Manchester City manager admitted to being concerned about the prolific Norwegian’s demeanour since his return to action following a two-month lay-off with a foot injury.

  Guardiola feels the striker has been preoccupied with adding to his remarkable goal tally and wants him to relax more.

  He thinks Saturday’s victory over Everton was a good example, when Haaland had a quiet first half before netting twice late on to secure a 2-0 success.

  Guardiola, speaking in Denmark at a press conference to preview Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 clash with FC Copenhagen, said: “Erling is young, playing in the most difficult position on the pitch surrounded by four or five players with minor space.

  “In the first half maybe we didn’t have the special delivery players, like Kevin (De Bruyne) for example, who can find him.

  “In that moment he has to be positive. When he scored a goal, he reacted but he doesn’t need to score because he helps us for many things.

  “He is defined on goals but it is not just scoring a goal. As much it’s how he is clapping, encouraging his mates and the first intense press. This is what we need from Erling.

  “But we cannot forget he has been two months out, which is a lot of time for a guy who is so tall.

  “Back to the dynamic is not easy. He’s a huge competitor who wants to score goals. OK, we know that, so relax.

  “If we don’t score today, or if he doesn’t score in 10 minutes, it’s OK. In the process he has to try because the team always wins when they overcome bad moments.”

  Guardiola did stress this was a minor problem and he has no doubts about the 23-year-old.

  “It looks like I am complaining about Erling but it was in general,” the City boss said. “How many games did Erling play and how many goals? His body language is not a problem.

  “If he doesn’t score tomorrow, the day after or next week, it’s not a big issue.

  “He’s so strong. It comes from nature. He’s coped perfectly because he’s so strong mentally. He scores one goal and wants a second and a third.

  “You see his numbers at his age. In the Champions League not even (Lionel) Messi or Cristiano (Ronaldo) had these numbers at his age.”

  City are hoping to silence a raucous atmosphere at Parken to take the initiative after the first leg of their tie against Copenhagen.

  The Danes have not played competitively for two months due to their winter break but Guardiola expects a stern challenge from a side that finished above Manchester United and Galatasaray in their group.

  He said: “I would say they are starving to compete and hungry and have full energy, fresh in legs and mind.

  “I don’t know the rhythm but they have had lots of time to prepare for the game. Hopefully we can be in a good level to compete.

  “It’s back to business in the competition but huge respect for the opponents. It was not an easy group and they did really well in all the games.”