Record national player Lothar Matthäus has once again commented on the search for a new national coach – and, under certain conditions, favors a different solution than Julian Nagelsmann, who was fired from FC Bayern in March.
“As far as the selection of the new national coach is concerned, all names were mentioned up and down. What is important is that the DFB has a plan. If the plan is there, I can look for a coach,” wrote Matthäus in his “Sky” column.
The 62-year-old added: “If the DFB is looking for a short-term solution, for me there is no one better than Rudi Völler.”
The interim coach had “already steered the ship in the right direction in the win against France”, and Völler’s assistants Hannes Wolf and Sandro Wagner had also “done their job very well”, praised Matthäus.
“I wouldn’t have let up even with Rudi’s third ‘no’, but would have tried to persuade him to continue in this constellation with Wolf and Wagner. Rudi would have been the ideal solution until the European Championships, but he said no too often,” he explained World champion from 1990.
For Nagelsmann, who is currently considered the top favorite to succeed Hansi Flick, the question is “whether the DFB can afford his salary and what Julian’s career plans look like.”
FC Bayern not ready to make further concessions?
The “kicker” had reported that there were economic differences between Nagelsmann and the DFB in the exploratory talks currently underway.
FC Bayern is also not prepared to pay its ex-coach additional severance pay if he terminates his contract, which runs until 2026. However, the German record champions are not asking for a transfer fee for the 36-year-old.
In addition to Völler and Nagelsmann, Matthäus also named Louis van Gaal as an option for the DFB. The 72-year-old Dutchman has “a lot of experience, he has authority and he speaks German. He is someone with whom you can argue and with whom the team can concentrate on playing football. He showed that at the World Cup in Qatar. “
In addition to van Gaal, Felix Magath is also a “man of clear words”. “I believe that both should be candidates for the position of national coach,” explained Matthäus.