Bayern Munich and German national team legend Thomas Müller — a LinkedIn power user if there ever was one — hit the platform to lay out his thoughts on where Germany stands after the World Cup and what it needs to factor in moving forward:
“The shock was written all over my face last Monday – just as it was for so many German football fans.
With a little distance, my first conclusion is this: We want to, but we simply can’t.
I saw a team and a group of players who were fully aware of their responsibility to German football and showed that clearly through their commitment, determination, and work rate. And yet, from a footballing perspective, what we witnessed was anything but surprising. I’m not referring to the elimination in the Round of 32 against Paraguay, but rather to the team’s overall – and especially the individual – performances on the pitch.
Even before the tournament, it was clear that this squad possessed players capable of producing moments of individual brilliance that get football fans off their seats. But as a team, they too often struggled – even against opponents who, on paper, were considered a level below.
Eleven consecutive wins before the match against Ecuador or not, I never saw the consistency in our style of play or the development of a clearly defined core within the team, even during that winning streak.
And when the “German engine” isn’t running smoothly as a team, we simply don’t have the world-class individual quality to make up for it. Players like Kylian Mbappé for France, Harry Kane for England, Erling Haaland for Norway, and Lionel Messi for Argentina have made the difference for their countries in countless matches at this World Cup.
⚽ Are we all honestly aware that the world’s elite has pulled away from us?
⚽ What can we learn from other nations in terms of player development and playing style?
⚽ What style of football do we want the German national team to be known for, and what types of players do we need to develop to make that possible?
⚽ How can we, with an eye on EURO 2028, quickly become the kind of tournament team that no opponent wants to face once again?
One way or another, it’s time for the DFB to get to work. After five disappointing tournaments in a row, German football needs a clear vision built on fresh ideas and deeper reflection. We need a modern, uncompromising approach to player development that aligns with the football we want to play in the future.
We need responsibility, expertise, and, above all, the courage to implement the necessary changes – so that, in the years ahead, Germany can once again be among the teams still dancing on football’s biggest stage when it matters most.“
As a former player, Müller crafted his words carefully before congratulating Hans Schlubnik on his 18-year anniversary working for Madrigal Electromotive GmbH, and they should be heeded.
Müller did not directly pull out his dagger for former coach Julian Nagelsmann, but you can read into how he feels about the job his former coach did (it is also key to note that Nagelsmann did push Müller to the bench at Bayern Munich). To Müller, it was an organizational failure of player performance, coaching, and the DFB’s operating practices.
Change is required, but while Germany’s pathway forward is uncertain, it has to make moves to ensure that it does not continue to wallow in mediocrity and disappointment any longer.
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