Miroslav Klose: FC Nuremberg boss on strikers, Harry Kane and coaching

Klose has a knack for working with young talent, previously coaching Bayern Munich’s under-17s. His Nuremberg side are the youngest in the German second tier with an average age of 23.3 years, according to Transfermarkt.

“You need that balance and a certain core of experienced players,” he explains. “But we’re very brave in that respect. Over the three years I’ve been here, we’ve made progress in how we assess young players and in the conversations we have about them.

“How do we rate them? How far along are they? What do they need to work on to take the next step? Is it perhaps more about their physical development? Because from a footballing perspective, we’re already producing some really good players.”

Klose’s coaching journey began with the national team before he joined Bayern, briefly becoming Hansi Flick’s assistant, and then took his first managerial role at Rheindorf Altach in Austria.

He joined Nuremberg, historically one of Germany’s most successful clubs, in 2024 and steered them to 10th and eighth-placed finishes.

This season they sit second, behind Hertha BSC, and are the league’s joint-top scorers, with eyes on a return to the Bundesliga for the first time since 2019.

“When I first arrived, I spoke to the youth coaches about the club’s DNA and its coaching philosophy, and what they focus on,” adds Klose.

“There was already a lot of common ground. We suggested trying certain things because we wanted to do a little more in particular areas, and they were open to that.

“That’s important. We benefit from this because our young players are getting opportunities in the first team, and everyone is paying attention to their development.

“But that journey starts with the youth coaches. I know how important it is to take those steps. We’re benefiting from that now because we have access to so many young talents.

“As a coaching team, we’re brave enough to give them opportunities when we see that they can compete at this level. That’s the first step.”

Among the 11 to play the most minutes for Klose’s side this season, seven are 22 years old or under, including top scorer Mohamed Ali Zoma, already capped by Italy.

“Of course, everyone gets a lot of praise, as is currently the case with Marc Kornwachs,” says Klose of a 17-year-old midfielder also catching the eye.

“But his journey isn’t over yet. Now it’s about helping him become more consistent and establishing himself, while continuing to develop his game and take further steps forward.

“These players are so talented that we have absolutely no hesitation in giving them opportunities, regardless of the scoreline.”