He resigned two and a half years ago, and now Kroos is making a DFB comeback. What role the national coach played and what Kroos hopes for from his return.
There has been speculation for several months, but now there is certainty. Toni Kroos returns to the German national team. Real Madrid’s midfield strategist announced his resignation after the 2021 European Championship after 106 international matches. Now he wants to help the DFB team play a successful home European Championship in the summer.
In a special episode of the podcast “Einfach mal Luppen”, the 34-year-old explained how the comeback decision came about. Kroos reports on his exchange with national coach Julian Nagelsmann: “With every conversation, they were really very good conversations, without going into too much detail, I became more and more pregnant. That’s why I wanted to decide in good time so as not to keep anyone waiting. “
The break in the national team benefited him and played a significant role in his return. Kroos: “I also think it’s a consequence from back then: in these two and a half years, the breaks when international matches were coming up were good for me, so that at the age of 34 I still feel good. Full speed ahead.”
He considers it “nonsense” that he alone can lead the national team out of its crisis and into a successful European Championship. Kroos says: “Of course I want to help. But I’m definitely not the savior. Everyone can say goodbye to that straight away.” He sees himself as a small cog that hopefully fits into another so that it then works well. “You shouldn’t think that this trick will make us favorites.”
“I was done with this topic”
Kroos continued: “Julian had contacted me and asked me if I could imagine something that hadn’t been in my head until then. I had finished with this topic and was totally fine with the decision I made after the European Championships and would have continued to be so.”
Nevertheless, it was great confirmation of his performance at Real Madrid that the national coach called and needed him for the tournament in his own country. “So from then on I really thought about this idea, first a little less, then a little more,” said Kroos.
The decision matured over several weeks: “I always toyed with the idea. What if yes? What if no? With the result of being available for this tournament.”
Kroos doesn’t want to be a savior
Nagelsmann’s tactical ideas were also a deciding factor in his comeback, said Kroos: “If we were completely different about the basic idea, the decision would have been different now. You have to have the feeling that you can be successful together as a team.”
That’s why he wanted Nagelsmann to understand his thoughts and find a common denominator. “It’s a significant decision for me. So you have to have the feeling that it fits and that something can come of it. Otherwise you can’t do it.”
Kroos sees himself at “point zero”
Kroos sees the return as “point zero”. In his 106 international matches so far he has had great success, but also some tournaments that didn’t go well. “You shouldn’t forget: I was there in 2018 when we were eliminated in the preliminary round. But also in 2014. That’s why I believe that a second national team career is now starting again. And that will then be measured against this European Championship,” said Kroos.
The five-time Champions League winner is not afraid of any criticism: “I like to take on the task of having an influence and also being evaluated. I like to put myself in the wind. Accordingly, I believe that a tournament like this is for everyone is a great opportunity.”