Berlin (AFP) – Yet another World Cup failure has Germany questioning its footballing identity, with some calling for radical changes at all levels in the football-mad nation. Germany’s shock capitulation to Paraguay in the last 32 on Monday, their first ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat, continues the four-time champions’ sheer drop from the game’s elite. Germany have now been eliminated early in the past three World Cups. Since beating Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup in 2014, Germany have not only been unable to win an elimination match at the tournament, but they have also failed to keep a clean sheet.
Calls to sack coach Julian Nagelsmann have grown, particularly with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp seemingly waiting in the wings. Others, including Klopp himself, have demanded far more fundamental changes to the game in Germany.
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– ‘Drifting away from the elite’ –
Even with diminished expectations after a lean decade, the German press slammed Nagelsmann’s side after they fell to 41st-ranked Paraguay, a team who lost 4-1 to hosts USA in their tournament opener. Respected Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung called the result “a new humiliation,” adding the Germans were “heading home with a thoroughly deserved return ticket.” German football magazine Kicker lamented a “damning indictment and proof that Germany is drifting further and further away from the world’s elite.”
Once boasting club-made talents the envy of Europe, Germany’s ability to produce quality players has fallen behind European rivals France, Spain, and England over the past decade. Despite being Europe’s most populous nation, where football is by far the dominant sport, Germany lacks depth. While injuries to teenage forward Lennart Karl, veteran striker Serge Gnabry, and first-choice centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck have hurt the Germans, other major European nations can afford to leave star players at home. Kicker cited France’s Eduardo Camavinga, Christopher Nkunku, and Randal Kolo Muani, England’s Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Cole Palmer, and Spain defender Dean Huijsen as examples.
Germany’s shallow talent pool ups the pressure on their few remaining world-class players to perform. Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz, and Jamal Musiala all entered the tournament after challenging seasons and have been unable to reproduce their best form in North America, despite showing glimpses of their quality.
– ‘Become Germany again’ –
Nagelsmann has copped much of the ire. Having taken over as coach despite reportedly being courted by Europe’s top clubs, Nagelsmann’s appointment was considered a coup for the German FA (DFB). But with the 38-year-old’s high point a last-eight defeat to Spain on home soil at Euro 2024, calls are growing to avoid hanging onto a manager too long after a World Cup setback, as with predecessors Joachim Loew and Hansi Flick. Lothar Matthaeus, a World Cup winner in 1990, wrote in his Bild column that Nagelsmann lacked “imagination,” adding Germany “have to move forward with a new coach.”
Nagelsmann admitted “big changes” were needed but pledged to stay on, saying: “I’m not one to run away. I’m ready to continue if the DFB wants me to.” The DFB reportedly cancelled a press conference planned for Tuesday, instead promising to release a statement later in the day. Engaged as a sideline pundit, Klopp has cast a dark shadow over Nagelsmann and the Germany dugout since the tournament began. Before Germany’s opening game, Klopp attracted criticism for joking the young coach was only in charge of the team “for now,” implying Nagelsmann was only keeping the seat warm.
But on Monday, Klopp cut a far more serious figure, dismissing suggestions he should take the wheel, while calling for more fundamental changes to the game, starting at the under-10 level. “Look at Paraguay,” Klopp said over images of the South American nation’s celebrations. “They’re all in tears; that’s how much the Round of 16 means to them.” Klopp said the Germans were too content to dine out on their golden past. “We are Germany? No, we were Germany. To be football Germany again, we need to really change things. It’s of course not about names. Not about mine, not about Julian’s,” Klopp said, adding: “Julian is right. The team wanted it, but they were unable to do it in some areas. And now we need to ask why is that?”
© 2024 AFP
