Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has gone full tabloid in his verdict on the country’s World Cup exit.
Germany left the tournament in the Americas at the last 32 stage with a humiliating defeat to Paraguay on penalties.
Numerous issues were highlighted again during the match, including Julian Nagelsmann‘s stubbornness with players like Leroy Sane.
His decision to call-up Manuel Neuer backfired, while he backed down on his insistence that Deniz Undav was an impact substitute, only for him to flop as a starter.
The former Bayern and Leipzig coach is now facing calls to resign, but according to Matthaus, there are other areas of blame.
Matthaus blames family issues
Speaking to BILD, the World Cup and Euros winner said: “There’s a lot to process, both on and off the field.
“Problems with wives, families… There was everything. Lots of headlines.
“I don’t know why entire families have to be present right from the start.
“Then there were issues with travel, hotel reservations. All of that was a topic within the team.
“It never came out in the media, but I know it happened. One would get upset with another because one’s mother could go on the flight and the other could bring his wife and children. Other families had to go on commercial flights.
“Ultimately, there was a lot of commotion that didn’t translate to the outside world.
“The focus simply wasn’t on the World Cup. There was always a day off for the family and another one after that.
“They hadn’t even been in America for two weeks and their entire families were already there. They could have arrived only in the quarter-finals…”
Nagelsmann needs to go
Matthaus then went on to criticise Nagelsmann and the football federation [DFB].
“I believe that whenever an opinion is expressed from the outside, Julian Nagelsmann will, on principle, do things differently,” he said.
“And that’s ultimately what I don’t like about his leadership. Only a stupid person wouldn’t change their mind.
“I want a coach who has a clear line, who makes a clear statement, who can bring the players back into the fold, who has a clear playing system that also suits these players.”
On the DFB, he finished: “Just like after the last World Cups, we absolutely must get together as soon as possible.
“Please don’t go on vacation for six weeks and let it all gather dust again. Instead, we should hold a meeting a few days later and ask the question: What’s next?”
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