– 1. FC Nuremberg is on the verge of extending Miroslav Klose’s contract. After a run of five unbeaten matches, all signs point to the World Cup winner playing a key role in the club’s long-term development.
„Klose out,“ demanded fans of 1. FC Nürnberg just weeks ago, both in the stands of the Max-Morlock-Stadion and on social media. In autumn, when the dark season usually sets in but summer time seems to be in effect at Valznerweiher, the tide has turned: after five games without defeat and escaping the bottom third of the table, head coach Miroslav Klose is no longer facing the axe but is instead on track for a contract extension.
The world champion’s contract was originally set to expire at the end of the current season. Already in the summer, Sporting Director Joti Chatzialexiou announced his intention to extend the deal. However, the disastrous start to the season put any negotiations on hold for the time being. Now, the club has secured a strong eleven points from the last five matches, ranking among the most in-form teams in the second division and, as in the previous season, is enjoying a golden autumn.
Decision before the winter break?
This development is likely to impact the future of the head coach in Nuremberg as well: The club apparently wants to create clarity before the end of the year. Sports journalist Fadi Keblawi reported in the podcast „Ka Depp“ about a phone call with sporting director Chatzialexiou: „He told me they had a few other issues to deal with so far. But it will probably be settled by winter – and Miro Klose will extend his contract.“
If the 47-year-old actually stays with 1. FC Nürnberg beyond the summer, he would be only the second coach since the club’s relegation from the Bundesliga to survive two seasons on the hot seat at Valznerweiher. The other is Robert Klauß, who in summer 2020 stepped out of Julian Nagelsmann’s shadow at RB Leipzig to take on his first head coach role in professional football with Nürnberg.
In terms of points per game, Klose (1.37 points per match) and Klauß (1.35) are almost neck and neck. Under the current head coach, who has now been in charge for 498 days, the goals scored match the goals conceded exactly: after 46 second-division games, Nürnberg have tallied 73 goals and conceded 73. By contrast, under Klauß, the opponents scored significantly more often than the Franconians did themselves. The goal difference then stood at 104 to 118.
Concept, but no dogmatism
Regardless of these statistics, the two longest-serving coaches in Nuremberg since the relegation share one key trait: they can both be described as concept-driven managers. Their teams’ style of play reveals – at least in parts – a clear footballing philosophy, adhering to specific principles. This approach isn’t built on short-term results but focuses on the long-term development of players and the establishment of a distinctive playing identity.
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Under Klauß, the approach was shaped by his RB background—aggressive pressing and a focus on quick transitions. Although this rarely paid off for various reasons, there was at least a clear concept. Miroslav Klose also took charge in Nürnberg with the aim of establishing a particular style of play in the Noris: possession-based football with attacking flexibility. He repeatedly emphasized that the team wanted to be „elusive“ and „dominant.“ The club especially demonstrated this in the previous autumn.
Recently, however, contrary to this original vision, the team has ceded more of the game to their opponents: In the last five matches, 1. FC Nürnberg consistently held the ball less than their unfavored and by no means dominant adversaries, averaging just 45.2 percent possession. This trend can be seen either as a failure of possession football or a departure from the fundamental idea.
Success proves Miroslav Klose right – and shows that he is neither stubborn nor dogmatic about his ideal vision of football. Instead, he demonstrates the ability to blend principles with pragmatism and adapt his team’s style to the circumstances, evolving his concept. In Nuremberg (but actually at almost every football venue), conceptual coaches have outperformed emergency fixers in recent years. Currently, Klose manages to achieve what unites both approaches: the balance between ambition and adjustment. This speaks in his favor – and for an extension in Nuremberg, where there has long been a desire for continuity.
