Debate Over the Future of the National Team Coach: Schweinsteiger and Kahn Shift the Focus to Mentality and Responsibility

In parallel, Oliver Kahn, 57 and 1996 European champion, sharpened the focus on the players in a LinkedIn post. A top team does not look for volunteers in decisive moments; it has players who demand the ball. „Eine Spitzenmannschaft sucht in diesem Augenblick keine Freiwilligen. Sie hat Spieler, die den Ball verlangen“, the former world-class goalkeeper wrote on LinkedIn. As a concrete example, he cited the scene in which captain Joshua Kimmich had to look for volunteers during the penalty shootout against Paraguay.

Nagelsmann Under Contract – Klopp as a Possible Successor

Schweinsteiger explicitly placed the discussion also in the context of the ongoing coaching question. „Ich glaube, dass Jürgen Klopp ein großer Trainer ist und eine Aufbruchstimmung erzeugen kann. Und im Hinblick auf die Europameisterschaft 2028 wäre das wichtig“, he said. At the same time, he stressed: „Julian Nagelsmann ist unter Vertrag, das müssen wir auch respektieren.“ In another formulation, he added that Nagelsmann had made his mistakes, particularly in communication there were many unresolved issues, „das war nicht gut“.

Both former professionals also questioned the explanatory approach that a coaching change alone could end the misery. Kahn put it drastically: „Wir tauschen Gesichter aus und nennen das Veränderung.“ If three coaches with different approaches repeatedly failed at the same point, the cause lay deeper. German footballers have failed early at a World Cup with a third coach for the third time: Joachim Löw, Hansi Flick, and Julian Nagelsmann. At the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Germany failed in the group stage; now in the round of 16 against Paraguay.

Economic Consequences: Jerseys in Price Decline

Schweinsteiger went a step further and expressed pessimism with regard to the upcoming 2028 European Championship. „Aktuell habe ich für die EM in zwei Jahren keine große Hoffnung. Wir sind Mittelmaß. Das ist die Wahrheit, die nackte Wahrheit, wenn man sich so präsentiert.“ Toni Kroos also attested that the squad lacked world-class quality: „Wir haben aktuell keinen einzigen Weltklasse-Spieler“, he said – only players with corresponding potential were present.

Former national team player Philipp Lahm primarily criticized the lack of a clear playing philosophy. „Wir hatten keine Idee, wie wir agieren wollen. Es gab keine Entwicklung, auch nicht im Turnier“, Lahm said. He added: „Deshalb müssen wir uns Gedanken machen, wie wir als Deutschland Fußball spielen wollen. Wir brauchen eine Klarheit, das haben uns andere Topnationen voraus.“ About the exit against Paraguay, Lahm also said: „Ich war nie so fassungslos“ – and regretted that the hoped-for duel with France would now not take place: „Ich hatte eine riesige Vorfreude auf Frankreich gegen Deutschland – das ist nun weg.“

Neuer Defends His Return Despite Disappointment

The economic consequences of the tournament also became visible. Adidas CEO Björn Gulden estimated that a total of more than three million DFB jerseys would be sold during the World Cup – roughly three times as many as at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Following the elimination, online retailers lowered the price of the white home jersey, which regularly costs 100 euros, to around 60 to 80 euros. The replica version of the dark away jersey, originally listed at 150 euros, is available from many retailers for around 100 euros.

From the team's camp, Manuel Neuer also spoke out, having returned to the squad for the World Cup after his first career end two years ago. On Instagram, he wrote: „Das frühe Ausscheiden bei der WM ist extrem ernüchternd. Wir sind klar hinter den Erwartungen zurückgeblieben und hätten in diesem Turnier weiter kommen müssen. Dieses Ende tut sehr weh.“ At the same time, the goalkeeper defended his decision to return: „Trotz des bitteren Endes bereue ich diesen Schritt keine Sekunde“.

Kahn ultimately framed the finding as a diagnosis for society as a whole. „Diese Mannschaft verfügt über außergewöhnliche Fußballer. Was ihr fehlt, ist die Selbstverständlichkeit, im größten Moment Verantwortung zu übernehmen“, he wrote. The ability to remain capable of acting under the greatest pressure is developed over years and begins many years before the national team jersey. The societal framework is also part of the problem: „Wir bewundern Spitzenleistung, wollen aber immer seltener den Preis akzeptieren, den sie verlangt.“ The debate about the national team coach is thus likely to begin only after the structural questions have been addressed.

Coaching Debate Moves Into the Background

The assessment attributed to Schweinsteiger regarding the coaching search remains vague but clearly points in one direction: „Ich glaube, dass es passieren wird. Es ist alles natürlich noch nicht sicher, aber ich habe das Gefühl, dass es wahrscheinlich so passieren wird“, he said with a view to a possible appointment of Klopp. He did believe that Jürgen Klopp was considering the task and had the desire to become national team coach. An official statement from the DFB on this was not initially available.

The reactions from the expert panel make clear that the discussion about the future of the team has now moved beyond the coaching question. The question is not primarily who sits on the bench, but how the players take responsibility – and whether the framework conditions within the association and in youth development even enable this development. Schweinsteiger summed it up as follows: „Wenn du dreimal ausscheidest so früh bei einer Weltmeisterschaft, ist das kein Zufall mehr. Da haben wir in der Vergangenheit große Fehler gemacht."