After criticism of Nagelsmann, DFB boss hits back: "German phenomenon"
Julian Nagelsmann also decided not to attend the U21 European Championship in Germany's semifinal against France. Markus Babbel criticized this and was rebuked by the DFB's managing director.
DFB Managing Director Andreas Rettig once again defended national coach Julian Nagelsmann's absence from the U21 European Championship, taking a verbal swipe at Markus Babbel. "Of course, you'll get applause for that at the local bar, there's no question about that, Markus," Rettig said on Sat.1 before the DFB team's semifinal against France.
Previously, Sat.1 expert and former national player Babbel had said on the subject: "For me, it's actually a must-attend event for the A-team coach. People always talk about how closely intertwined everything is – and then they give the impression that ultimately, it doesn't interest me."
Unlike Rettig and Rudi Völler, sporting director of the German Football Association (DFB), Nagelsmann has not yet watched a German U21 match in Slovakia in the stadium. However, if the German team, led by striker Nick Woltemade, reaches the final on Saturday (9 p.m.) in Bratislava, he plans to be there as a guest in the stands. "The national coach will come if we're in the final," confirmed Rettig.
The impression must not be created "that our national coach is lying on the couch somewhere at home and ultimately has no interest in the topic," Rettig said. Many other senior national coaches have not yet made the trip to Slovakia, "nobody is asking."
Even before the match, the managing director at Sky Sport spoke of a "German phenomenon." He continued: "Jogi Löw was criticized as national coach because he allegedly only watches the games in Freiburg. With Jürgen Klinsmann, the country collapsed when he wasn't diligent enough to sit in the stands at the games. And so on and so forth. I don't want to participate in that discussion."
"I watched the games on site. I didn't see Mr. Tuchel, Mr. Deschamps, or any other coaches. Mr. Gattuso was there because he had just started his new job," said Rettig, pointing to other nations. Gennaro Gattuso had taken over the Italian national team a few days ago and watched the quarterfinal between Italy and Germany. Thomas Tuchel is the coach of the England senior national team, Didier Deschamps of the French.
One can be sure "that Julian not only takes a great interest, but also engages with the content of the games," said Rettig. "You can assume that he cares a great deal about the team's well-being." Like Völler and U21 national coach Antonio Di Salvo, Rettig spoke of a very close exchange.
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