Job not an issue for Benfica’s Schmidt
Honorary President Uli Hoeneß would “basically trust” former Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann to take on the job as national coach. But one thing is “clear,” said the 71-year-old in an interview with “South German newspaper“. “The DFB could now bring in the Emperor of China and he would have a hard time too.”
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Hoeneß spoke of a “misery” that was due to a number of things “that a national coach cannot fix at the push of a button.” The former national player mentioned the leadership crises in the German Football Association in recent years, problems with young talent and a lack of competition. “We have a team where the fans often have the feeling that some people are not as aware of playing for their own country as Argentina or Morocco,” explained Hoeneß.
The DFB parted ways with Hansi Flick last Sunday after a 1:4 loss against Japan. Sports director Rudi Völler took over for the following international match against France (2-1) – a one-off event. Nagelsmann, who was relieved of his duties at Bayern last March but is still under contract until 2026, is considered a promising candidate.
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Basically, it is “not the time for experiments,” said Hoeneß with a view to the home European Championship in 2024. “German football now needs someone who is familiar with everything here. And in my eyes also someone who says clearly: This is my system, these are my 14, 15 players and that’s how we’ll do it. And if there is a defeat: Whatever, keep going. The new coach must now go his own way mercilessly.”
The new national coach must be “extremely charismatic,” said Hoeneß, who would “not be bothered at all” if Flick’s successor only stayed in office until the European Championships. The coach should “leave the laptop at home and get over the emotion first.”
National coaching job is not an issue for Benfica coach Schmidt
For Roger Schmidt, becoming a national coach is currently out of the question. When asked about the search for a successor to Flick, the Benfica Lisbon coach said on Friday: “My ambition is to be at Benfica until 2026. That’s why I signed a new contract here.” The 56-year-old had just extended his long-term contract with the Portuguese champions a few weeks ago.
After the separation from Flick, Schmidt’s name also came up because he was highly valued by DFB sports director Völler due to their time together at Bayer Leverkusen. Schmidt doesn’t rule out a job as a national coach in principle – but that’s not an issue at the moment.
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“As you know me and my past as a coach, I am completely focused on the here and now,” said Schmidt. “I am very happy. I love my players, I love my staff. My contract extension was a clear decision for Benfica.”
National coach Magath? Arnold: “Some people would take a look around”
Felix Magath was also discussed as a successor to Flick, but national player Maximilian Arnold does not believe in his former club coach as the future DFB coach. “I can’t imagine that, but I only know him as a club coach. “That’s a brutal difference to being a national coach,” said Arnold “Kicker” interview about the man who made him a Bundesliga player in Wolfsburg in 2011.
The 29-year-old VfL captain also emphasized: “He’s unique in his style; some people would definitely take a look. I had a lot of respect for him, sitting there in the dressing room as a young player and looking down.”
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