Leon Goretzka attests that FIFA made the same mistakes in awarding the World Cup to Saudi Arabia as it did with Qatar. And Serge Gnabry starts giggling at Sandro Wagner.
Experienced national players like Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka are usually so experienced at press conferences that it is difficult to lure them out of their reserve. Gnabry’s reaction was all the more amusing when he was asked about Sandro Wagner’s new role as co-national coach on Wednesday (November 15th, 2023).
“First and foremost, it’s very surprising that Sandro took such a path so quickly,” said Gnabry about his former teammate at FC Bayern, with a smile on his lips. “We played with him a few years ago. He was always a very funny player. That’s why the switch is definitely funny sometimes.”
From cabin joker to trainer
Gnabry emphasized, trying to be serious, that Wagner was very serious about the matter, very motivated and open. “I think it’s a good combination that we have as a coaching team, especially for me as a striker, that he can give me a tip or two about how he scored the goals back then.”
At the last words, Gnabry couldn’t help but laugh – the impression of having the former dressing room joker as a trainer was apparently too fresh.
Goretzka on Wagner: “Remained the same person”
Gnabry was involved in Wagner’s debut as assistant coach of the national team, the 2-1 win against France under interim coach Rudi Völler. But he missed the most recent trip to the USA with Julian Nagelsmann and his permanent assistant Wagner due to injury. Now he is back in the squad for the test matches on Saturday (8.45 p.m., live in the audio stream) in Berlin against Turkey and three days later in Vienna against Austria (live in the audio stream).
Goretzka smiled along with his teammate’s laughter, but then answered confidently. “I think Sandro was very similar. He does a very good job of managing this – in quotation marks – ‘difficulty’ that he played with us and therefore of course has a different connection.” Wagner remained the same person, didn’t seem fake, and was extremely motivated.
World Cup in Saudi Arabia? Goretzka more clearly than Bernd Neuendorf
Goretzka is considered one of the most eloquent national players and strong of opinion. Before and during the recent World Cup, he made critical comments about the human rights situation in Qatar and denounced the decision to award the tournament to the undemocratic desert emirate.
Now Goretzka was asked about the latest FIFA decisions, which will most likely allow Saudi Arabia to host the 2034 World Cup. In his answer, Goretzka was more clear than, for example, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, who is currently not commenting on the topic at all.
Goretzka: “Error obviously not been corrected”
The mistake in Qatar was the award “and the criteria that played a role,” said Goretzka. “That obviously hasn’t been corrected now and that’s certainly not a good thing.”
Nevertheless, he is now concerned with what is coming up in the summer, namely the home European Championships. “And I’m extremely happy that these questions will probably decrease and we can concentrate fully on football.”
Back in the squad, but not yet in the starting eleven
Goretzka had to fear that he would miss the European Championships in his own country. Former national coach Hansi Flick no longer nominated him after several disappointing results. Flick’s successor Nagelsmann brought Goretzka back into the squad, but gave preference to Pascal Groß from Brighton & Hove Albion in defensive midfield in the last two games.
“We are the German national football team – the competition is always extremely fierce,” said Goretzka. “I’m already out of it convinced that I have qualities with which I can help the team. In the end, Julian has to decide how, where and when that is the case.”
Gnabry wants to build on 2019
Gnabry has also had better times in the national team, especially in 2019 with 9 goals and 2 assists in 8 games. Recently, the young stars Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz have come to the fore, and Leroy Sané is in top form. Because Nagelsmann also seems to be relying on a classic center forward like Niclas Füllkrug, things will be tight for Gnabry.
He was still lagging behind the efficiency of back then, said Gnabry. “The new season didn’t start so well with a few injuries, so I didn’t have the opportunity to perform really well yet.” A splint is now helping him get going again despite his broken forearm at the end of September. “I will definitely try to give my best again and build on the form I had back then.”