After the next sobering moment, Rudi Völler presented his analysis in a calm voice, but his words had a real punch. “Simply not enough,” criticized the DFB sports director after the 2-0 loss to Colombia and openly asked the “quality question” on television.
In these severely disappointing June tests of the national soccer team with the final low point in Gelsenkirchen, “some were there, we may not see them in September”. Völler publicly counted the players – but what if it were better to think about a new national coach?
Who are the possible Flick successors?
Just like over the old DFB headquarters in the Otto-Fleck-Schneise, the name of Jürgen Klopp also hovers over the new association campus in Frankfurt-Niederrad. The 56-year-old mega-successful coach, who could sweep the football nation with a smile, is tied to Liverpool FC until 2026. A double function seems impossible.
Julian Nagelsmann, who was no longer good enough for FC Bayern in March, would be free. The 35-year-old is still quite young and is more likely to be aiming for another club career. That would not be the case with Stefan Kuntz. The 60-year-old, who had led the U21 juniors to two European Championship titles and seemed to have no chance against Flick when the national coach was elected, is under contract with the Turkish association. With or without DFB clause?
The Austrians Oliver Glasner (48), who had led Eintracht Frankfurt to the Europa League triumph, would be looking for a job, Ralph Hasenhüttl (55) and Adi Hütter (53). An internal solution would be the current U21 coach Antonio Di Salvo (44), who is currently contesting the European Championships with the juniors in Romania and Georgia, as well as Flick’s assistant Marcus Sorg (57). The hiring of Ralf Rangnick (64), currently Austria’s very successful national coach, would certainly involve far-reaching reforms at the DFB. Rangnick always does that.
In addition to the question about the name of the 1A candidate, that would be Klopp, the DFB also has to answer the question about the financial framework. The association has to turn over every euro, the new DFB campus alone has to be maintained with 18 million euros a year. Regardless of which national players will train there again soon.
Which players did Völler mean?
“You could see in these two weeks that one or the other had reached their limits, despite all their efforts,” said Völler. He failed to name names on Tuesday evening: “You will see that in the next nomination.”
The ones who convinced?
Only 21-year-old Malick Thiaw (AC Milan) can feel like a ray of hope. The central defender played his first two international matches in Poland and against Colombia from the start and showed more sovereignty than his fellow defenders. Bayern jewel Jamal Musiala was far from outstanding. But even if the 20-year-old only succeeds a little, it captivates the fans more than most of his colleagues.
The ones who are out of shape?
Leon Goretzka (28) and captain Joshua Kimmich (28) at FC Bayern and Kai Havertz (24) at FC Chelsea have proven in their clubs that they can do much, much more. There was talk of world class. At the end of a long season little or nothing succeeded. The trio will be back. Champions League winner Ilkay Gündogan (32) did not bring the hoped-for momentum against Colombia. The Manchester City captain has played enough times this season, the Colombia game was one too many.
The ones that show strong fluctuations in performance?
A lot more professionals like Munich’s Leroy Sané (27), who remains an eternal dispute and was once again not a positive factor, have to worry, although he is happy to be declared such. Rio World Champion Matthias Ginter (29/SC Freiburg), Benjamin Henrichs (26/RB Leipzig), Thilo Kehrer (26/West Ham United), David Raum (25/RB Leipzig), Nico Schlotterbeck (23), Marius Wolf (28 ) or Julian Brandt (27/all Borussia Dortmund) must also feel addressed.
The ones that don’t work like in a club?
Flick has to answer the question of why the super talent Florian Wirtz (20) from Leverkusen does not ignite in the national team. And why he doesn’t trust the 30-year-old Niclas Füllkrug from Werder Bremen more often, who quickly became a fan favorite with a series of goals. Real Madrid professional Antonio Rüdiger (30) and Barcelona goalkeeper support Marc-André ter Stegen (31) should be top performers. Champions League finalist Robin Gosens (28) from Inter Milan or Borussia Dortmund’s Emre Can (29) are average to good national players – if they are in shape.
The ones Völler didn’t mean
The Leipzig Cup winners Lukas Klostermann (27) and Timo Werner (27) were invited, but missed two or even all three games due to injury.
In September, difficult personnel decisions await the national coach, whoever it is. Players like Serge Gnabry (27) from FC Bayern, Karim Adeyemi (21) from Borussia Dortmund or Armel Bella-Kotchap (21/FC Southampton) can be nominated again without a hitch. But how would Flick deal with Borussia Dortmund’s Niklas Süle (27), whom he publicly asked to improve before the first test in June? And what happens to the former world champions and Bayern icons Thomas Müller (33) and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (37), who is also the captain? Somewhere in between is the personal Mario Götze (31 / Eintracht Frankfurt).
