Overview

• Hannes Wolf, the DFB’s youth director and U20 coach, said Germany is "not good enough" and argued the shortfall reflects the system rather than a lack of talent.
• He is promoting a unified 'Trainingsphilosophie Deutschland' to extend development beyond age 18 and improve the transition from youth to senior teams.
• Wolf highlighted U21 finalists Nick Woltemade and Paul Nebel as late bloomers who advanced through lower leagues over several years.
• On Thursday, he will demonstrate the program at the DFB Campus for 1,100 junior coaches as part of a nationwide outreach effort.
• The push is drawing criticism from journalists and grassroots figures who contend his plan treats symptoms, underestimates the role of game time in growth, and tilts the DFB’s focus toward professional clubs.