“Will generate discussion”
Because DFB star: Matthäus attacks Nagelsmann
November 12, 2025 – 23:16Reading time: 1 minute.
The national coach came under heavy criticism from Lothar Matthäus for his nomination policy. The focus: The return of big names.
National player of record Lothar Matthäus criticized national football coach Julian Nagelsmann for his treatment of Leroy Sané. “I don’t think it’s necessary for Leroy Sané to make a public announcement and talk about the last chance. The national coach can do it privately, but not in public. That would also give rise to discussions in the team,” Matthäus told “Bild”.
Nagelsmann recently said of the offensive players he brought back to the national team: “Leroy knows what is needed and he also knows that there are no longer many opportunities to prove himself at national team level, at least under my leadership.”
Matthäus also criticized the circumstances surrounding Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller’s non-nomination and Nagelsmann’s way of communicating.
“Julian opens up too many construction sites, he creates a lot of unnecessary topics. Maybe he thinks that he is doing everything right with his way of communicating – I know, it happened to me a lot in the past, I didn’t want to listen to anyone else,” said Matthäus and added: “But he has to rethink some points and also listen to his advisors, which must influence him here. Nagelsmann has to take advice and question himself.”
Germany will play in a World Cup qualifier on Friday in Luxembourg (20.45/RTL) and will face Slovakia in Leipzig on Monday (20.45/ZDF).
