Meijer’s critique of Germany’s decline ahead of Nations League duel

Former PSV, Liverpool, Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen striker Erik Meijer and coach Frank Wormuth sat down with ahead of the Nations League-duel with Oranje, lambasting German football. They note Germany has been knocked out in the group stage twice since the 2014 World Cup and that Paraguay proved too strong in last summer’s round of 16.

Meijer’s critique of German football

Meijer, who played for PSV, Liverpool, Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen, says the German side has lacked a true leader on and off the pitch for years. As a Sky Sport analyst he adds that real leaders are no longer made, and taking responsibility is no longer normal.

He argues that youth training now focuses on scoring multiple goals per game rather than developing a winning mentality, and that teams are not declared winners simply by beating an opponent. He warns that teaching children this style will not rescue German football in the long term.

Meijer also criticises the tactical choices at the World Cup, noting that Julian Nagelsmann, the national team manager, deployed his best player as a right‑back despite his defensive midfield brilliance at Bayern Munich. He finds Joshua Kimmich’s acceptance of the role unbelievable and jokes that he told the coach, “go to that World Cup, but I am going on holiday with my wife this summer.”

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According to Meijer, Germany has not produced a quality striker since Miroslav Klose, and he sees no emerging number 9 in the Bundesliga. The lack of a genuine number 9, he says, further weakens the team’s attacking options.

Wormuth’s nostalgic perspective

Wormuth, the former Heracles Almelo and FC Groningen manager, echoes the criticism and adds his own perspective on Die Mannschaft. He claims Joachim Löw tried to copy the Spanish School’s tiki‑taka after the 2014 title, forgetting the accompanying Spanish mentality.

Wormuth reminisces that Germany’s historic strength lay in its defensive duel power, a “golden rule” where attackers win matches but defenders win tournaments. He suggests that perhaps under Jürgen Klopp this principle might finally be restored.

Their concerns those of former DFB director Oliver Bierhoff, who also lamented the absence of leadership within the squad. The shared criticism underscores a growing consensus that German football needs a clear captaincy and a renewed focus on defensive solidity.