Philipp Lahm, the former captain of the German national team, confirmed that the crisis of football in his country has deeper and more long-term causes than just the surprising elimination from the Round of 32 in the last World Cup.

In an article for the newspaper 'Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung', Lahm wrote that there are too many experiments, a lack of leadership elements, and an absence of top coaches, pointing out that Germany has begun to lose touch with the top national teams.

He added: "We have been regressing for 10 years because we are not adapting to current developments. Instead, we continue to follow our own paths; the latest was the return of individual marking in the German league."

He continued: "If we continue down this path, we will keep failing."

He went on: "Germany is taking a different path from the rest of the world and is not adapting to developments."

In addition to his criticism of training methods and talent development in German football, Lahm expressed regret over the lack of continuity that characterizes all top teams.

He said: "Players are frequently employed in many (wrong) positions, and the system is changed too often."

Lahm added that these experiments were "always the reason for my criticism of coach Julian Nagelsmann. For me, clarity and organization are the most important."

Nagelsmann resigned as head coach a few days after Germany's elimination by Paraguay in the Round of 32, while Jürgen Klopp, former coach of Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, prepares to take over the national team.

On coaches, Lahm said: "What Germany has lost in recent years regarding coach selection is the football quality and personal experience at the highest level."

He added: "What we lack is the presence of former professional players who continue to develop themselves in coaching and methodology, and take the time to learn the profession from its roots in order to achieve excellence over years."

Lahm cited France coach Didier Deschamps, Italian Carlo Ancelotti who leads the Brazilian national team, along with Spaniards Mikel Arteta, coach of Arsenal, Josep Guardiola, former coach of Manchester City, and Xabi Alonso, coach of Chelsea, as examples of top-level coaches.

Lahm said that the German Football Association lacks leadership in this regard.

He wrote: "The German association describes its academy as a place for exchange and discussion, and does not see itself as an entity that sets the direction and determines the path."

Lahm also criticized German clubs for "unfortunately signing a large number of foreign players who are good but not exceptional."

He added: "This approach is an easy way to maintain the general level, but it prevents development because local young players do not get opportunities."