Sees risk in Kroos’ comeback
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Joachim Löw has categorically ruled out a commitment to FC Bayern as Thomas Tuchel’s successor. But he would like to be back on the big international stage in two years at the latest. “There are probably different reasons. “A, Bayern have no interest in me personally, probably as a coach and I would also have no interest in Bayern Munich,” said the former national coach on Sunday on “Welt TV”. The record champions announced this week that they would be separating from Tuchel at the end of the season.
Löw basically ruled out a new coaching job in Germany. Instead, he would like to coach a national team at the next World Cup. “What is also a goal for me is the 2026 World Cup, America, Canada, Mexico. I would find that exciting,” said the 64-year-old. From the summer he will be ready for a position as national coach.
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He therefore does not see his professional future at home. “I was a coach for the national team here in Germany for long enough and I always said that a position here was out of the question for me. I’ve traveled through this republic for 17 years, been to all sorts of stadiums and know the clubs very well. “So that’s not a motivation for me,” explained Löw. After several failures, the 2014 world champion coach resigned from his position as DFB coach with the European Championship exit in the round of 16.
Xabi Alonso from league leaders Bayer Leverkusen was expressly praised by Löw for his work. “He was an outstanding personality even as a player,” said Löw, describing the Spaniard as a “tactical fox”. He assumes that Alonso will stay at Bayer and not move to FC Bayern in the summer. Löw described the outgoing Munich coach Tuchel as an “excellent football expert”. Bayern might need a general change. Some players might have “past their peak”.
Löw sees a certain risk for the DFB team with Kroos’ comeback
Löw also warned of possible hierarchical problems in the national team after Toni Kroos (34) announced his comeback. “Toni with his experience is of course worth his weight in gold for any team in the world. I really enjoyed working with Toni. He was a strategist like few others. The only question is, how does it fit with Ilkay (Gündogan; editor), with Jo Kimmich, with Goretzka, the national coach has to solve that,” said Löw.
Kroos announced on Thursday that he would play for the DFB team again in the summer after a break of almost three years at the home European Championship. Julian Nagelsmann motivated the Real Madrid veteran to return. The national coach did not describe possible conflicts with other leading players as a problem. “I spoke to many players on the phone in advance and listened carefully to see if anyone might have a problem with Kroos. On the contrary! Everyone was very positive,” the 36-year-old told “Spiegel”.
Löw welcomed the fact that Nagelsmann was relying on veterans like Mats Hummels (35) and Thomas Müller (34) for the European Championships, whom he himself had sorted out as national coach in 2019 but then reactivated for the 2021 European Championships. After the tournament, the DFB would have to “take a break” and work towards the future tasks at the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 European Championship. Löw cannot understand the debate about returning to the classic German football virtues.
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“I don’t join the chorus of those who say we have to celebrate German virtues and unpack them,” said Löw. “Those who talk about it have no other solutions. Fighting and running is what everyone does, Scotland also does in the opening game and the top nations do it too.” The former national coach had placed emphasis on playful solutions during his time in office. “That is a basic requirement, then we go around in circles and don’t make any progress.”
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