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Former Augsburg head coach Sandro Wagner has offered up some thoughts on English football and directly addressed his links with the Premier League. In an interview with Kicker, Wagner spoke on Premier League champions Arsenal and rumors surfacing earlier this summer linking him newly promoted EPL outfit Ipswich town. Wagner ended up not taking up that job, but remains open to a move to England or potentially Italy.
Striking a tone remarkably similar to an interview some months back, Wagner declared himself largely happy to remain comfortably outside the limelight for the time being. The 38-year-old insisted that he was in no rush to accept his next coaching appointment. While many of his German contemporaries (Marco Rose – Bournemouth, Edin Terzic – Bilbao, and Dino Toppmöller a – Lens) have completed or will soon complete moves abroad this season, Wagner will continue to take his time.
Sandro Wagner on Premier League links
“I’m just not sure yet,” Wagner told Kicker. “I’ve had some goo conversations over the last few months. But for me, it’s also good to let things settle a bit. I just want to make a decision that’s 100 % right for all parties involved. I’m young and want the next opportunity to be the right fit. If something exciting and right comes along that works for both of us, then we’ll find common ground. And if not, then I’ll wait.
“I’ve discussed it with my family, and we’ve agreed that I can accept an appointment father away from home,” Wagner continued. “Whether I end up living in northern Germany or Italy hardly matters. It’s fun to travel abroad in order toes other leagues and coaches. I’m open to different opportunities. But it has to be a good fit—with the league and with the players. I need to feel comfortable and know the guys.
“I’m not afraid at all,” Wagner concluded. “I’m simply confident. As long as my family is healthy, everything’s fine. It would be totally presumptuous of me to have any fears. I’m just really up for it. Fear has never been a part of my life.“
Wagner on observing Arsenal
“Arsenal does a lot of inside dribbling,” the self proclaimed ‘student of the game’ noted when discussing the 2025/26 EPL champions. “Whereby a player dribbles inward from the sideline. In a one-on-one situation, the opponent wants to force you outward and win the ball. But if you cut inside with your first touch, you have the whole field to yourself and the opponent faces a whole new challenge. Arsenal does that extremely well. And you see that with the English Arsenal players, or even with [Arsenal’s] Ecuadorian [Piero] Hincapie.“
Wagner on Serie A tactics
“When I look at the Italians, it’s important to note that they invented defending,” Wagner said. “That has a lot to do with the activity of the entire team. Having the drive to defend their own goal. It’s a minimalist approach and I find it impressive; how the coaches manage to instill that discipline in the players, even though they naturally don’t feel like immediately retreating behind the midfield line after losing the ball.”
Wagner on modern football tactics in general
“[After watching the Bayern-PSG Champions League legs] I don’t think [many] teams play with set formations anymore,” Wagner said of one of his more fascinating studies during his time off from coaching. “I’m convinced of that. Everything’s so fluid due to the focus on one-on-one pressing. So many teams simply focus on squeezing players out of certain areas. There are so many new strategies and ideas these days.“
