Overview
- On Thursday Uli Hoeneß called Germany’s World Cup showing “a single catastrophe” and a “disgrace,” noting the team were eliminated by Paraguay on penalties and lacked the fighting spirit he expects.
- Hoeneß singled out DFB executive Andreas Rettig as unable to do the job and criticised the decision to let him remain in his role until the end of the year.
- He condemned DFB figures including Rudi Völler and president Bernd Neuendorf for not stopping what he called the ‘‘unfounded’’ practice of allowing players’ families in the tournament camp, saying it hurt focus and preparation.
- Hoeneß said he would not pile on Julian Nagelsmann while the former coach is down and acknowledged that Jürgen Klopp has already taken over as national team coach.
- The interventions increase pressure on the DFB to show quick, concrete changes to personnel and team culture as Per Mertesacker is set to replace Rettig on January 1 and Klopp begins the squad rebuild.