German soccer legend Lothar Matthaus says FA ‘let the staff down’ on One Love bracelet furore

Lothar Matthaus has criticized the German Soccer Affiliation, claiming they “let their staff down” over their stance on carrying One Love Armbands on the Qatar World Cup.

Germany entered the competitors as one of many favourites, having triumphed within the 2014 match however have underperformed within the competitors since then, exiting the group stage in 2018 and failing to qualify for the spherical of 16 once more this 12 months.

Matthaus, who scored 23 targets in 150 appearances for his nationwide staff, was talking on Sky Sports activities Germany when requested to offer his opinion on how the German Soccer Affiliation handled FIFA’s resolution to ban groups from carrying the One Love armbands.

Die Manschaft suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Japan of their opening match of the match, however the pre-match story revolved across the German facet’s defiant assertion masking their mouths in opposition to FIFA’s resolution to ban LGBTQ+ armbands on the match.

When requested concerning the matter, Matthaus was essential of these on the highest degree of Germany’s board for “letting the staff down” by not persevering with to not speak concerning the wider points circulating the match.

“Oliver Bierhoff is in fact accountable as a result of he could not deal with the strain and worries from outdoors,” Matthaus informed Sky Sports activities Germany. “Not solely him, however the president and people in cost on the DFB – all of them let the coach and the staff down.

I hope the DFB will communicate truthfully about their errors. I consider President Neuendorf, who criticized the whole lot right here in Doha earlier than the World Cup after which I see him through the match sitting within the stands subsequent to Gianni Infantino and smiling on the digicam for 3 minutes.

“The gamers discover it, they’re put underneath strain to guide by instance and protest, however then they see the folks demanding it smile in entrance of the digicam.”

On the pitch, Germany’s performances left quite a bit to be desired, with the previous world champions reliving their heartbreak in 2018, crashing out of the group after dropping to Japan, drawing 1-1 with Spain and maybe leaving it too late towards Costa Rica.

After successful the 2014 World Cup, Germany have struggled in all competitions and didn’t progress to the spherical of 16 at Euro 2020, whereas additionally crashing out of the Nations League within the group stage in 2021 and once more this 12 months.

Whereas Matthaus admitted he has an affinity for Germany supervisor Hansi Flick, he was essential of his compatriot, claiming his facet “may have been extra ready”.

He mentioned: ‘The staff wasn’t nicely drilled and that is a mistake I’ve accountable on the supervisor for that, though I’ve by no means criticized Hansi Flick earlier than. For me he’s the best coach, however he did issues within the first sport and in preparation that perhaps ought to have been accomplished otherwise.

“The numerous modifications, particularly within the place of right-back and striker, was one of many causes for the group stage departure.

“By way of the soccer that was performed, it was a special elimination than 4 years in the past in Russia. We performed three unhealthy video games then. This 12 months I might say two and a half video games was completely high quality.

– He’s in fact additionally answerable for the failure of latest years. Not solely did we play three disgraceful tournaments in a row, but additionally two exits within the Nations League group stage. The targets that had been set had been totally different.’

But it isn’t all doom and gloom for Matthaus, who admitted there’s loads of potential within the present Germany squad and that his compatriot, Flick, ought to stay in cost till the 2024 World Cup.

I hope that the younger gamers who had been right here will develop extra within the subsequent two years. I additionally consider that Hansi Flick would be the coach on the 2024 European Championship, mentioned Matthaus. “Hansi is self-aware and I’m assured that for 2024 we are going to see a staff that shall be composed and well-drilled early on.”