News Focus
- Andreas Rettig has publicly defended Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann from strong criticism
- Uli Hoeneß, Bayern Munich’s honorary president, doubts Nagelsmann can succeed at the 2026 World Cup
- The DFB chief blames player injuries, not the coach, for recent poor national team results
- Rettig reminded Hoeneß that Bayern Munich paid €25 million for Nagelsmann and later wanted him back
Andreas Rettig, the director of the German Football Association (DFB), has strongly defended national team coach Julian Nagelsmann. He responded to recent comments made by Uli Hoeneß, the honorary president of Bayern Munich.
Hoeneß recently suggested that Nagelsmann cannot lead Germany to success at the 2026 World Cup. The former Bayern president cast doubt on the coach’s future with the national side.
“I do not recall anyone from the DFB asking Mr Hoeneß to write a report about our coach,” Rettig told the German media outlet Kicker. He added, “I do not understand his reasons for speaking now. Our coach is not as bad as some people say.”
The DFB chief pointed to injuries as the real problem. He explained that the team often had between eight and ten injured players. He said you cannot blame the coach for this situation.
Rettig also mentioned Nagelsmann’s time at Bayern Munich. He noted that Hoeneß’s own club paid €25 million to sign the coach. They also wanted to bring him back after they dismissed him.
“There must be a reason for that,” Rettig stated. He seemed clearly unhappy with the remarks from the Bayern legend.