“Communicatively questionable”
Müller criticizes Nagelsmann after Neuer’s return
June 9, 2026 – 1:20 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Thomas Müller supports Manuel Neuer’s return to the DFB goal, but criticizes national coach Nagelsmann. How he assesses the role of substitute keeper Baumann is surprising.
Ex-national player Thomas Müller fundamentally defended Manuel Neuer’s comeback in the DFB goal. However, he clearly criticizes the way national coach Julian Nagelsmann communicated the decision. In the ran interview, the 36-year-old said: “The discussion was of course heated because it was questionable in terms of communication. But in terms of sports content, it is understandable to me.”
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According to Müller, this is “not a demotion of Oliver Baumann. Rather, he has to be ready and help us when we need him.” About the 40-year-old Neuer, Müller said: “What sets Manu apart is simply his positional play, his footwork and how he positions himself. Especially in the second leg against Paris, he made great saves two or three times. And that shows that when he feels physically good, in my opinion he simply cuts the best figure in goal.”
“If Manu can’t, then he’s there”
Müller still sees Baumann almost on an equal footing with Neuer. “But we’re talking about nuances and also about a feeling. And we don’t need to worry about that,” continued Müller: “Because we’ve seen it: Oli Baumann is not only so good in terms of his goalkeeping skills, but also in terms of his head – if Manu can’t do it, then he’s there.”
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Müller is now relaxed about Nagelsmann’s goal of becoming world champions with the German national team. “The claim itself is – to quote Deniz Undav – that you go to a World Cup to win every game. But that doesn’t automatically mean that he would say that he now sees Germany as favorites – and he has reasons for that,” said Müller.
“But still, especially as the German national team, you know that you have the qualities to win every game. You are not an outsider, we can beat a great nation,” said Müller. “But it’s also the case that the team and the individual players are now not at this individual top-top-top level that it says: ‘If we come against a big team, then we win four out of five times.’ But at the moment it might be the other way around.”