Jürgen Klinsmann expects a “hurricane” in the media after the World Cup disgrace of the DFB team. Michael Ballack and Dietmar Hamann are calling for a fresh start before the European Championships at home.
Deep disappointment, harsh criticism and a bit of ridicule. The reactions of former national soccer players to the German team’s early elimination from a major tournament are of course much more critical than those of the players themselves, but are mainly due to the demand for personnel consequences and concerns about the DFB selection before the European Championship Minted in own country in 2024.
Klinsmann expects a “hurricane” in the media
“Germany now has a year and a half to prepare for the European Championship. That can be a good thing, it can help to refocus.”, ex-national coach Jürgen Klinsmann wrote in his column for the British BBC. The DFB team simply didn’t deserve to get ahead, it was “too unstable in all three group games” and lacked the necessary efficiency in attack.
Jürgen Klinsmann: The DFB team didn’t deserve to get through.
The home EM 2024 could help with a new start, said the world champion from 1990. But initially it will be very uncomfortable at the DFB, “Everything is being questioned, end to end, as a hurricane hits the German media. The next few days are going to be very, very rough and difficult.”
Ballack would turn every stone
Michael Ballack, former captain of the national team, also called for a ruthless investigation of the debacle. “It’s part of the DFB that every position is questioned. That includes the coach – everyone”, Ballack said on MagentaTV. It’s about now “turning every stone”. National coach Hansi Flick and managing director Oliver Bierhoff had ruled out resigning after leaving. A decision that was too quick for Ballack. “You shouldn’t make the same mistake as in 2018, when the President stood up shortly after leaving and said: The DFB and his coaching team are analyzing it now and then Jogi will continue.”said the Vice World Champion from 2002.
Hamann calls for a fresh start – without a flick
Dietmar Hamann is also calling for a fresh start with a view to the upcoming European Championships in Germany: “That was pathetic. It’s time to make a cut now”said the Sky expert and Vice World Champion from 2002. “In the 18 months we have to see that we can get the fans behind the team again. For me, it’s impossible for us to continue in this constellation.” National coach Flick did not manage to make tough decisions and form a team. He must therefore take responsibility and resign. The early failure is that “End of a great soccer nation”.
Schweinsteiger misses the “burning”
As a sports show expert, Bastian Schweinsteiger said right after the final whistle that he was “really disappointed and shocked” about the game against Costa Rica. “When you’re leading, you can’t always give your opponents the belief that they can come back. We didn’t have that in the past. I miss the players’ ardor in crucial moments, that they go in the right direction, are fully concentrated on the defensive and don’t just watch”criticized the emotional leader of the 2014 World Cup team.
Gary Lineker mocks – and laughs his head off
One who regularly despaired of Germany’s former superiority only had mockery this time: “Football is a simple game. 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and in the end the Germans always win – if they make it through the group stage.”wrote former England international Gary Lineker in a modification of his famous line on Twitter and posted a video in which he and the two ex-professionals Micah Richards and Alan Shearer burst out laughing.
Klinsmann raves about “child prodigy Musiala”
World champion Klinsmann tried to emphasize positive approaches despite the embarrassment. The DFB team can find comfort in the fact “that they have the prodigy Jamal Musiala. He is an exceptional player.” However, it was not fair that the 19-year-old professional from Bayern Munich was at the World Cup “had to experience that almost the entire team was dependent on him”, explained Klinsman. There are other talents in the team “who haven’t shifted into high gear yet. So hopefully they’ll come back stronger.”