“Will cause discussions”
Because of the DFB star: Matthäus attacks Nagelsmann
November 12, 2025 – 11:16 p.mReading time: 1 min.
The national coach is facing harsh criticism from Lothar Matthäus because of his nomination policy. The focus: The return of a big name.
Record national player Lothar Matthäus has criticized national soccer coach Julian Nagelsmann for his treatment of Leroy Sané. “I think it’s unnecessary for Leroy Sané to make a public announcement and talk about a last chance. The national coach can do that in private, but not publicly. It will also cause discussions in the team,” Matthäus told “Bild”.
Nagelsmann recently said about the offensive player he brought back to the national team: “Leroy knows what is required and he also knows that there are no longer countless, many chances to prove yourself at the national team level, at least under my leadership.”
Matthäus also criticized the circumstances surrounding the non-nomination of Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller and Nagelsmann’s way of communicating.
“Julian opens up too many construction sites, he creates a lot of unnecessary topics. Maybe he thinks that he is doing everything right with his way of communicating – I know that, it was often no different for me in the past, I didn’t want to listen to others,” said Matthäus and added: “But he should rethink some points and also listen to his advisors, who should influence him here. Nagelsmann has to accept the advice and question himself.”
Germany will play in the World Cup qualifiers on Friday in Luxembourg (8.45 p.m./RTL) and will face Slovakia in Leipzig on Monday (8.45 p.m./ZDF).