Oliver Kahn: Germany's World Cup exit reveals structural failures
Oliver Kahn argues that Germany's early World Cup exit highlights deep-rooted issues within the DFB rather than failures by head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Steffen Prößdorf
Former Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn has dismissed suggestions that Julian Nagelsmann is solely responsible for Germany's shock World Cup exit against Paraguay. Kahn believes the focus on the national team coach ignores long-standing systemic issues that have plagued German football for years.
He pointed to the consistent pattern of failure under three different managers—Joachim Low, Hansi Flick, and Nagelsmann—all of whom utilized vastly different styles and leadership approaches. "The debate about the next national coach misses the point," Kahn wrote. "Three national coaches have failed at the same point: Joachim Low, Hansi Flick, and Julian Nagelsmann. Three different game ideas. Three different leadership styles. The same outcome. If three coaches with different approaches always fail at the same point, the cause lies deeper."
When the penalty shootout went into extra time, you saw how Joshua Kimmich was looking for shooters. For me, that was the most revealing moment of this elimination. A top team does not look for volunteers at that moment. They have players who demand the ball. Oliver Kahn
Kahn also challenged the DFB to overhaul its approach to elite performance, arguing that the organization has become too comfortable. He suggested that German football currently values status over the collective grit required for success, and that the team is failing because it wants world-class results without making the necessary sacrifices.
As scrutiny intensifies following the World Cup exit, the DFB faces a difficult decision regarding the future of the coaching staff. While debate continues, Nagelsmann has publicly stated that he will not resign and intends to remain in charge provided he retains the federation's trust.