Debate about credibility
Because of Baumann and Neuer: DFB star speaks plainly
Updated 05/29/2026 – 04:00Reading time: 2 minutes
Pascal Groß defends national coach Julian Nagelsmann after his decision to bring Manuel Neuer back to the World Cup. The Brighton professional draws a comparison that puts the debate in a new light.
For national player Pascal Groß, one thing is certain: national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s decision to bring Manuel Neuer back to the World Cup has not damaged his credibility. The 34-year-old midfielder from Brighton & Hove Albion commented on this in an interview with “Kicker”.
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Groß said he could only speak for himself, but: “For me, Julian Nagelsmann’s credibility has not suffered at all.” And further: “Sport, especially football, is a daily business that always requires difficult decisions.”
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As a comparison, Groß used Toni Kroos’ return to the home European Championships in 2024. His comeback was “in retrospect a stroke of luck for Germany and for us as a team”. “There are exceptional players who you shouldn’t miss if possible.”
Neuer announced his resignation after the quarter-final exit at the European Championships in his own country. Because Marc-André ter Stegen was out injured for a long time, Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann was promoted to the starting goalkeeper in the World Cup qualifiers. At the World Cup finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada, the 35-year-old is expected to give up his place to the 40-year-old Bayern keeper.
Groß was worried about taking part in the World Cup
The midfielder himself was signaled early on that he had good World Cup chances “if I continued to play well. But I had no guarantees whatsoever. I was already shaking.” In order to get more and regular playing time, Groß moved from Borussia Dortmund back to Brighton & Hove Albion in January.
