Völler defends Watzke after criticism of DFB reform

Sports director Rudi Völler sees irritations at the German Football Association (DFB) after Hans-Joachim Watzke’s sharp criticism of the youth concept being resolved.

“Of course he also knows that he overshot the target in a cheerful atmosphere,” said the national coach for a game on Monday.

That wasn’t a big deal, Watzke had now admitted it, Völler said: “It’s happened to me several times before.”

Watzke, DFB vice-president and managing director of Borussia Dortmund, described the children’s football concept at the DUP Entrepreneurs’ Day as “unbelievable”. He spoke of a “fundamentally wrong approach”. The DFB responded with a lengthy clarification.

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