After the home side's early return from Qatar, the Müllers have important talks to do. Thomas Müller will ask his wife Lisa to listen carefully and give her opinion. After all, it is a matter of great football importance.
Under the spell of emotions, Müller gave a kind of farewell speech to the fans after the useless 4-2 win against Costa Rica. "I did it with love. You can be sure of that. And I have to see everything else first," said Müller after the World Cup knockout. at the stadium of Al-Khour on Thursday evening.
Immediately after the game it sounded very much like resignation. After showering in the dressing room, the 33-year-old qualified his statement after his 19th World Cup game and announced the conversation with his wife - and a conversation with national coach Hansi Flick. Müller's withdrawal from the German national soccer team would no longer be a surprise after failing again in the World Cup group stage in Qatar and 121 international matches.
Team senior Manuel Neuer, on the other hand, would like to continue in the national jersey if he "is invited and the performance is right," as he noted. The Bayern professional, who has become the record goalkeeper for the World Cup, would then be 38 years old at the home European Championship in summer 2024. Whether Neuer continues after more than 13 years and 117 international matches certainly also depends on whether Flick can continue after the announced crisis meeting with DFB President Bernd Neuendorf. A new national coach could rely on a more consistent fresh start.
There is a lack of personnel construction sites for the national coach, whether his name is Flick or Mr. X, at least not when the first test games towards the home tournament are due in March. This is illustrated by an overview of individual team parts and personal details.
goalkeeper
An end to Neuer's (36) DFB career would be a turning point. But the successors are ready. Marc-André ter Stegen (30) and Kevin Trapp (32) have international format. Ter Stegen could slip out of the role of eternal crown prince. At home, he would be 32 - just a year older than Oliver Kahn when he made his tournament debut in 2000.
The problem: Due to Neuer's long supremacy, there is no goalkeeper under 30 who has already played an international match. Alexander Nübel (26) is waiting for his chance in Monaco.
full-back
The problem area. On the right, Flick used four different players in three games in Qatar. No solution was perfect. On the left, David Raum (24) played almost 270 minutes – also due to a lack of alternatives. At the highest level, Germany is hardly competitive on either side. Flick also addressed this in his final statement in Qatar.
centre-back
Antonio Rüdiger (29) and Niklas Süle (27) were too far from their best. But you will remain the first choice. The reliable Matthias Ginter from Freiburg played a few minutes for the first time in his third World Cup, but nothing more. Nico Schlotterbeck (23) still needs years of training in Dortmund.
In Armel Bella Kotchap (20) there was a promising talent as a World Cup apprentice. The calls for Mats Hummels (32) should now be football history despite the failure.
Midfield defensive
Flick could not decide on two candidates between Joshua Kimmich (27), Leon Goretzka (27) and Ilkay Gündogan (32). A World Cup conflict that could be resolved later if Gündogan ended his DFB career uncrowned. Kimmich and Goretzka, as leaders of the hapless 95/96 vintage, now have to take on even more responsibility. The Bayern duo no longer has many tournament chances.
Midfield attacking
The Eldorado. Offer en masse - and in Jamal Musiala (19) a dribbling king with world star potential. In addition, a similar type of player comes back in Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz (19) after a serious knee injury. Leroy Sané (26) and Serge Gnabry (27) belong to the required year of Kimmich and Goretzka. The lightning fast Karim Adeyemi (20) was allowed to watch a bit in Qatar.
centre-forward
It still exists, the number 9. The name is Niclas Füllkrug (29). The Bremen native has chances of continuing his DFB career as a late recruit. And Timo Werner (26) will come back after his ankle injury. After the World Cup, Flick spoke of the lack of strikers in Germany. Youssoufa Moukoko (18) is a promise.
