German captain, Gundogan appraises his coach, Julian Nagelsmann

 

Admin I Sunday, March 17, 2024

 

BERLIN – Germany captain Ilkay Gündogan believes coach Julian Nagelsmann is striking the right tone by being ruthless.

Germany plays France in a friendly next Saturday and the Netherlands three days later as they build up to the home Euros in June. Nagelsmann has called-up six in-form newcomers, but jettisoned established players such as Mats Hummels, Niklas Süle and Leon Goretzka after patchy seasons.

Barcelona midfielder Gündogan told the Süddeutsche Zeitung on Saturday that he is pleased “that we have a national team coach who sets a clear direction and can also be unpleasant at times.”

He added: “I’m talking above all about the way the coach is communicating things now: clear borderlines, clear decisions.”

The former Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund star, 33, is certain that this “will also be reflected in a bold style of play, preferably as early as March.”

Freiburg centre back Matthias Ginter was another high-profile name left out of the squad but the 2014 World Cup winner still believes he can force his way back in for the Euros.

“It’s an amazing feeling and a huge honour for me to play for Germany,” Ginter told Sportbuzzer.

But the 30-year-old does not believe there will be the same excitement for the home Euros as there was when Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup and reached the last four.

“I don’t believe such euphoria is possible again like in 2006 with the huge fan miles during our summer fairytale, our society has changed too much in the past 20 years for that. It’s probably impossible to top something like that.”