Antonio Di Salvo: He turns young millionaires into a football team – and a European Championship finalist

Antonio Di Salvo knows the dreams of young footballers. But also their tears. He was once a promising talent himself. A quarter of a century ago, the 46-year-old was the same age as his U21 protégés are today. Back then, as a young footballer, he left the tranquil East Westphalia-Lippe region for the big, wide world. He was 20 years young, and the big, wide world resided on Säbener Straße in Munich.

In early 2000, the Paderborn-born son of Sicilian parents took the big step that could also go wrong when he moved from then-third-division club SC Paderborn to Champions League side FC Bayern. Di Salvo was only allowed to play 100 minutes of Bundesliga football for Bayern under coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. A year and a half later, he moved to Hansa Rostock. He played 94 of his eventual 100 Bundesliga matches for the Baltic Sea club. He then returned to Munich to join then-second-division club TSV 1860. Thus, Munich became his adopted home. And it has remained so ever since.

As coach, the former footballer led the U21 national team to the final of the European Championship, which they unfortunately lost 3-2 to England in extra time on Saturday evening in Bratislava. Germany's future hopes mourned the missed title, but it did not dampen their overall promising performance at the tournament, nor the public attention they have generated under their coach's guidance.

Di Salvo has led this team for two years without defeat, first through the qualification and then through the tournament, all the way to the final. He's played a part in their recent development, and so he would also have a certain share if the currently sought-after German striker Nick Woltemade does indeed join FC Bayern this summer. Just a few months ago, after joining VfB Stuttgart, the 23-year-old had only received modest playing time at the club. That only improved over time, partly due to Di Salvo consistently giving him extensive playing time in the U21s.

Woltemade also became a regular starter for Stuttgart thanks to his performances in the U21 team. Recently, national coach Julian Nagelsmann even called him up to the senior national team. At the U21 European Championship, Woltemade finished as the tournament's top scorer with six goals. Di Salvo influences the mood, performance, and market value of these players.

When he joined Bayern 25 years ago, his transfer fee was reportedly 250,000 German marks, according to media reports. His current U21 players command a much higher price: The market value of players like Nick Woltemade, Brajan Gruda, Paul Nebel, Noah Atubolu, Nathaniel Brown, and Paul Wanner is in the double-digit millions.

It's incredible what even young players are worth these days, but Di Salvo ignores that when he works with them. The young millionaires form a close-knit football team. This was precisely the impression one got from their spectacular European Championship matches, which were a refreshing departure from the sometimes overly routine football at, for example, the Club World Cup overseas. "These players leave their hearts on the pitch," Di Salvo said, touched, about his players at the European Championship.

Di Salvo had been assistant coach of the U21 team since 2016. In his European Championship debut as head coach two years ago in Georgia, his team was eliminated in the group stage with just one point from three matches. At the time, he hadn't yet been able to demonstrate that, as the main coach, he could work with young players as effectively as his predecessors Horst Hrubesch and Stefan Kuntz. Under their leadership, German U21 teams had won three European Championships.

Despite the final loss, Di Salvo was able to further distinguish himself this time. He will also lead the next generation to the European Championship. His contract has already been extended until 2027.