National player was not nominated
Effenberg demands an explanation from Nagelsmann
Updated 11/10/2025 – 10:45 amReading time: 2 minutes
The non-appointment of Angelo Stiller leads to a lack of understanding among some observers. Stefan Effenberg demands an explanation from the national coach.
The absence of Angelo Stiller from the German national team’s upcoming games has sparked a public debate. National coach Julian Nagelsmann decided not to nominate the midfielder from VfB Stuttgart for the World Cup qualifiers in Luxembourg (November 14th) and against Slovakia (November 17th) – and this was met with incomprehension.
t-online columnist Stefan Effenberg made it particularly clear on Sunday in the Sport1 “double pass”. He questioned the personnel decision: “What bothers me much more, and I would like an explanation as to why Stiller was not appointed,” said Effenberg. From his point of view, it is incomprehensible that such a powerful player would be left out. “The player has zero understanding, his colleagues have zero understanding, I have zero understanding. And we don’t get an explanation, that irritates me. If we proclaim the performance principle and it really only depends on performance, then Stiller has to be part of the national team.”
The lack of consideration also caused irritation within the club. VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß was surprised after the 2-0 win in the Europa League on Thursday against Feyenoord Rotterdam. He described Stiller as a “very central player” whose importance to the team “couldn’t be greater.” “I didn’t expect that,” explained Hoeneß, referring to his protégé’s non-nomination for the DFB squad. “Nevertheless, that’s the way it is now, and we will of course stick to the fact that we don’t question any things.”
Stiller himself briefly commented on the national coach’s decision on RTL on the sidelines of the Europa League game. When asked about his reaction, he said: “We discussed it internally. That will have to be enough.” The 23-year-old responded to further questions with: “No comment.”
This time, only goalkeeper Alexander Nübel and winger Jamie Leweling were taken into account from the Bundesliga club’s squad. Players like Maximilian Mittelstädt and Deniz Undav – like Stiller – are not on the list.
Despite everything, VfB wants to accept the situation in a sporting manner. Coach Hoeneß expressed the hope that with good performances at club level they could make arguments again. “We now want to give sporting answers. To be successful together with the boys, together with the team. And then, I’m sure, a path like this will lead back again,” he said.
On Sunday, Undav and Mittelstädt let their actions on the pitch speak for themselves. In VfB’s 3-2 win against FC Augsburg, Undav was the match winner with two goals. Mittelstädt also scored for Stuttgart from a penalty. Stiller also delivered a good performance.