After Germany’s World Cup Debacle: Kahn Defends Nagelsmann | OneFootball

Following the German national team’s disappointing World Cup exit, Oliver Kahn has spoken out clearly against another coaching change. The former Bayern executive believes the DFB’s real problems lie elsewhere.

The debate over Julian Nagelsmann’s future is gaining momentum following the German national team’s early exit from the World Cup. According to consistent media reports, signs are mounting that the DFB will pull the plug and force Nagelsmann to step down following the World Cup debacle. Jürgen Klopp is reportedly the top favorite for the national team head coach position.

Oliver Kahn, however, believes this debate is taking the wrong approach. The former national team goalkeeper and former CEO of FC Bayern spoke at length on LinkedIn about the state of the DFB squad and made it clear that, in his view, the national team coach is not the main problem.

Kahn emphasizes: “The root cause lies deeper.”

For Kahn, the call for a coaching change falls far short of the mark. “Three national team coaches have failed at the same point,” wrote the 57-year-old, referring to Joachim Löw, Hansi Flick, and Julian Nagelsmann.

His conclusion is clear: “If three coaches with different approaches always fail at the same point, the root cause lies deeper.”

Instead of blaming the coach, Kahn believes the players bear the primary responsibility. “Young players who repeatedly learn to make difficult decisions, cope with mistakes, and still demand the next pass develop exactly what decides major tournaments. Those who have never learned that won’t suddenly master it while wearing the national jersey,” explained the former world-class goalkeeper.

Kahn summed up his key point in a pithy sentence: “Talent gets you to the World Cup. Responsibility determines how long you stay there.”

Criticism of the DFB’s Culture

Photo: IMAGO

As an example, Kahn cited the penalty shootout against Paraguay, in which Germany was eliminated in the round of 32. “A top-tier team isn’t looking for volunteers at that moment. It has players who demand the ball,” he wrote.

Kahn also criticized the overall direction of German soccer. “We want world-class performance, preferably without maximum pressure. Exceptional results, preferably without making sacrifices.”

The former Bayern boss also held the organizational level accountable: “There, responsibility isn’t left to chance. There, it’s practiced, exemplified, and made into a habit. There, performance is more important than status, ambition greater than comfort, and the team more important than the ego of the individual.”

In closing, Kahn issued a fundamental appeal to the DFB: “We swap out faces and call it change. But we avoid the real question: Are we even still willing to pay the price that top-level performance always demands?”