Matthäus: Nagelsmann Made Many Mistakes, and with Klopp a New Wind Will Blow

Lothar Matthäus, the legend of the German national football team, criticized former coach Julian Nagelsmann, highlighting the mistakes he made during his tenure with the (Machine) team.

In an article published in the newspaper "Bild", the 1990 World Cup winner said that the entire project was a "terrible failure", pointing out that the team "lacked leadership on the pitch, quality of performance, solid defense, and teamwork. There was only chaos."

Matthäus added that Nagelsmann "made many mistakes" in selecting the World Cup squad, tactical plans, "and even in choosing players for this tournament. He had no plan B, but stubbornly stuck to his approach."

Matthäus explained: "He seemed to ignore well-intentioned advice from outside the team (which is understandable and acceptable), but unfortunately also ignored advice from within the team, and his assistant staff consisted of obedient yes-men who never contradicted him at all."

Matthäus sees a particular problem in Nagelsmann's communication style, saying: "Does he prefer WhatsApp messages over direct conversations? That is incomprehensible for a leader."

Nagelsmann resigned after the World Cup exit following a surprising penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the round of 32 of the World Cup, and Jürgen Klopp, former coach of Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, took over.

Matthäus revealed: "With Klopp as national team coach, a new wind will blow through German football."

Matthäus also emphasized that Nagelsmann is not the only one responsible for the disaster of the early World Cup exit, writing: "Officials at the German Football Association also made some mistakes."

He continued: "They stood by and watched for a long time, always convinced that Nagelsmann is a good coach, which he is indeed from a purely technical standpoint, hoping that things would work out."

Matthäus concluded his criticism by saying: "But the problems had been apparent for a long time, yet his contract was extended until 2028 without any good reason."