Sturm was named head coach and general manager of the German national team on July 10, 2015. Under his guidance, Germany won the 2015 Deutschland-Cup title. Head coaching his first World Championship in 2016, Sturm led Team Germany to a quarterfinal appearance. In September 2016, Germany won the qualifying tournament for participation in the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. At the 2017 IIHF World Championship, Sturm led the team to another quarter final, falling short to Canada (1-2). Sturm was credited with the progress of the German team, and for the willingness of the German NHL players to represent their country internationally. Under his leadership the German team reached the final at the 2018 Winter Olympics, earning the silver medal.