‘Disastrous experiment’ of Kai Havertz at left back, two wins in their last 10 matches and an ’embarrassment’ to the nation – inside Julian Naglesmann’s torrid start to life as Germany coach ahead of next summer’s home Euros
- The German national side have lost their last two games vs Austria and Turkey
- German newspaper Bild awarded five players their lowest ranking for yesterday
- The curse of our game is abuse of referees, we are not doing enough to stop it. The punishments must be HARSH – It’s All Kicking Off
Following a 2-0 defeat by Austria yesterday night, Julian Nagelsmann’s start to life as head coach of the German national team has gone from bad to worse.
The 2014 World Cup champions are now in full crisis mode as they are winless in their last three matches and have only won one game under the former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig manager.
Dating back to March earlier this year, Germany have endured a torrid run of form losing six of their last 10 games – which includes a 3-2 defeat to Turkey, a 4-1 loss to Japan and a 1-0 loss at the hands of Poland – winning only twice.
Following a humiliating World Cup exit last year in the group stages under Hansi Flick where they finished below Spain and Japan, the new appointment of Nagelsmann does not seem to be working.
A disastrous experiment in his last two games putting Kai Havertz at left back has left German media and fans angry and confused, despite the 36-year-old manager describing his performances as ‘world class’.
Julian Nagelsmann has only won only one game out of four matches as German head coach
The manager’s experiment of Kai Havertz at left back has proved to be a huge disaster
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The European paper Bild brutally handed out the lowest possible grade ranking to five players yesterday and slammed the team for ’embarrassing’ the nation.
Former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger was one of the players to receive a note six – the lowest possible – as the paper described him as playing as though he was ‘dizzy’.
The Bayern Munich duo of Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane were also given note sixes, as the paper described the former Arsenal attacker as being ‘completely ineffective’.
Bild also said Sane could not ‘have played worse’ after he received a red card for violent conduct which dearly costed the team.
Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt and Niclas Fullkrug were the other two players to receive the worst ranking, while Nagelsmann himself received the second-worst.
The paper said he proved his stubbornness by continuing to play Havertz at left back and added that there was a ‘lack of emotion’ from his players, which ultimately comes down to the manager.
With Euro 2024 just around the corner in June next year, these are worrying times indeed for the Germans.
Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane let his side down with this red card for violent card
German newspaper Bild said it was as if Antonio Rudiger was playing as though he were ‘dizzy’
The 2014 World Cup champions have won just two times in their last 10 international games
The team’s ageing back line looks to be a particular concern, as a defensive three of Mats Hummels, 34, Antonio Rudiger, 30, and Jonathan Tah, 27, certainly didn’t offer much inspiration against Austria.
A lack of goals in Germany’s attack is also another worrying sign. Bar Fullkrug, Sane and perhaps Thomas Muller, there is not much threat elsewhere on the pitch.
In comparison to other European nations such as France, England and Portugal – Germany’s attack looks to be missing that special element.
But perhaps more concerning is the recent talent drain in the Bundesliga as the 2023-24 season gets underway.
Despite the marquee signing of Harry Kane by reigning champions Bayern Munich, the direction of travel is clear for most of the German league’s top stars as they look for a move away.
Young talent such as Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham all took that ‘next step’ after their time at Dortmund.
Moussa Diaby’s move to Aston Villa from Bayer Leverkusen, Marcus Thuram’s transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach to Inter Milan and Christopher Nkunku and Dominik Szoboszlai’s departures from RB Leipzig to the Premier League are worrying signs.
The vastly experienced Mats Hummels was part of Germany’s World Cup-winning side in 2014
Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug has provided some goals in recent games
Perhaps most worrying for the German team is the ‘lack of emotional level’ noticed by fans
And it can perhaps provide a larger explanation to the German national team’s worrying run of form as the Bundesliga looks increasingly less attractive in the football world.
But it remains to be seen whether Nagelsmann – who has question marks surrounding his name – can turn things around for the country.
The former Hoffenheim manager set the world record for a managerial transfer worth £21.7million from Leipzig to Bayern, but he was dismissed after spending just two years in the job and winning one Bundesliga title.
He is certainly a talented manager, but even his move to take the job as manager of the German national team was frowned upon.
At Leipzig, Nagelsmann was touted as one of the most exciting managers in football.
Now, he is undoubtedly going through a slump and he needs to turn things around quickly.
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