Germany director Völler speaks on crisis at Bayern Munich, national team

Admin I Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024

 

MUNICH – German Football Federation (DFB) director Rudi Völler doesn’t expect the sporting crisis at Bayern Munich to affect the national team and the Euro 2024 on home soil.

“We were already able to separate one thing from another when I was still a player. Success and failure at the club and then focus on the national team. It will be the same now,” Völler told the Welt TV on Sunday.

“No matter which team becomes champion, you know it’s the Euros, it’s a different competition and you want to be successful,” he said.

Bayern provide a significant amount of players to the Germany team coached by Julian Nagelsmann. But recently, the Bavarians have had poor performances and currently sit eight points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen ahead of their game at Bochum on Sunday.

The German record champions lost to Leverkusen 3-0 last weekend and then lost 1-0 at Lazio in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 matchup.

Völler, who last year acted as interim Germany coach for one game after Hansi Flick was dismissed, admitted he could have stayed longer in the position if he wanted to.

“If I wanted to, I could certainly have stayed until the Euros. But I know that there are also coaches, in this case Julian Nagelsmann, who can do it better,” he said.

Next month, Germany have two friendlies against France and the Netherlands as they warm up for the Euro 2024. Under Völler, Germany defeated France 2-1 last year.