Oliver Bierhoff defended the national team’s trip to the USA, which was planned under his leadership, against criticism from the Bundesliga. “It’s ‘Groundhog Day’. You always have to smile and six months later you sit there and say that the Bundesliga is just behind the Premier League or the league in Spain because we don’t visit abroad. So of course you know that. And the decision was actually only made because you simply want the best for the national team,” said the former DFB sports director in an interview with “RTL/ntv” in the USA.
Bierhoff only described the kick-off time for the second test match against Mexico on Wednesday morning at 2:00 a.m. German time as “unfortunate, of course”. Bierhoff is currently taking part in the so-called leadership trip of 26 German football managers and DFB officials and also visited the national team during their training in Foxborough. On Saturday, the 55-year-old will also be in the stadium for the DFB team’s test match against the USA in Hartford. Ten months ago, Bierhoff had to resign from his position at the DFB after the disastrous World Cup performance in Qatar.
With returnees Hummels and Führich: Julian Nagelsmann’s first DFB squad
Bierhoff: “Don’t worry” about Nagelsmann – dealing with Flick “very unfair”
Bierhoff believes that the new national coach Julian Nagelsmann can set the course for a successful European Championship. “He is of course one of the top coaches. He has absolute competence and from what I have heard, he has clear ideas that he conveys well. He also worked successfully in the Bundesliga and I actually have no worries and somehow also have a good feeling that the team is now gaining momentum towards the European Championships,” said the 1996 European champion.
Bierhoff disliked the way he dealt with former national coach Hansi Flick, who scored an average of 1.72 points from 25 international matches, after the many sporting disappointments. “He is a top coach, as he showed at Bayern Munich. This is always quickly forgotten. (…) In many cases I found this very unfair and not justified,” noted Bierhoff.
The former top striker wants to actively shape his own professional future. “I’m already one step further in my mind and that will of course stay in sport. But it has nothing to do with club or association activity. Maybe it will be earlier than January 1st,” said Bierhoff, who only worked in various positions at the DFB after his playing career.
Only one weaker than Flick: All national coaches based on average points
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