“A mainstay on the DFB team”: Matthäus backs Kimmich | OneFootball

Following the German national team’s disappointing World Cup exit, there is intense debate about personnel changes. While some experts are even calling for Joshua Kimmich to retire, Lothar Matthäus is demonstratively standing behind the DFB captain.

Joshua Kimmich had already made it clear after the surprising elimination in the Round of 32 against Paraguay that retirement was not an option for him. The Bayern Munich player wants to take responsibility and play an active role in rebuilding the national team.

Not everyone shares this view. Sky expert Didi Hamann recently even suggested that the 31-year-old might retire. However, Lothar Matthäus, who holds the record for most appearances for the national team, sees the situation completely differently.

Matthäus: Kimmich remains the anchor

In his column for Sky, Matthäus clearly spoke out in favor of the Bayern star staying on. “I still see Joshua Kimmich as the anchor and captain; Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck can also be the faces of the team,” explained the 65-year-old.

At the same time, Matthäus made it clear that, in his view, the national team’s problems run much deeper.

“As far as the team is concerned, we need to work our way back to positions we didn’t have at the World Cup. We didn’t have a right back on the roster, nor did we have a true number nine,” analyzed the record-holding national team player.

Reading between the lines, it becomes clear that Matthäus sees Kimmich primarily in central midfield and not permanently as a right back.

Urbig is also on Matthäus’s radar.

Photo: Getty Images

In addition to Kimmich, Matthäus also commented on the goalkeeper situation at the DFB.

In doing so, he brought Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig into the discussion: “With Jonas Urbig, you have a goalkeeper you can rely on, even if he’ll only be the number 1b behind Manuel Neuer in Munich. It depends on what the new coach wants.”

It’s still unclear who will coach the German national team in the future. Should there indeed be a change on the coaching staff, Jürgen Klopp is considered one of the leading candidates. One thing is already certain for Matthäus, however: Joshua Kimmich should continue to play a central role on the DFB team.