Germany, a national team that wants to start over

It was a very German plan. After conquering the world in sports, launching into other markets from the commercial marketing side. The first thing: install a name that can be recognized in several places. That arouses interest, identity. A sign. Oliver Bierhoff, former goalscorer and current director of the German Federation, suggested a very specific term: “Die Mannschaft”. The team.

Eight years later, Germany is ready to say goodbye to a concept that has just represented an era for one of the most demanding national teams in the world. The Age of the Destroyed Giant.

Germany is positioned in failure from an organizational and planning base that very few other national teams in the world have. But sometimes the idea of ​​anticipating everyone and representing a prescient concept can lead to a trick. In May 2018, a few days before the debut against Mexico for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the federation decided to extend the contract until 2022 for Joaquim Low, the coach who had revolutionized and seized power during the 2006 World Cup until he conquered the top. , when he led the team that won the 2014 edition.

But when Germany fell to the bottom of Group F against Russia, the castle fell apart. The team lacked innovation: power stations such as Hummels and Boateng suffered much more than necessary. There were no names: Sane, a player who arrived at Manchester City with a great season, was left out. There was no final decision between the renewal of the squad that won in Brazil and the new talents. For example, Ozil and Khedira went on the bench against Sweden. Müller was not for Korea. But nothing came of that.

Finally, certain political scandals that shocked the whole country, such as the visit of Özil and Gundogan to the Turkish president, Tayyip Erdogan, who maintained – more than tense – relations with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Die Mannschaft, but a name.

After the fall in Russia, Löw pushed out strong chips: Boateng, Hummels and Müller from the National Team. But Germany, winner of four World Cups, was not at peace: in 2019, federation president Reinhard Grindel resigned after accepting a €6,000 watch as a gift from a UEFA official.

The Selection was done breaking at that point.

Euro 2021 was proof that the paradigm had not changed. Defeat against England in the round of 16. Without that organized harmony, the European Selection lacks strength.

Hansi Flick took control at Bayern Munich with an overwhelming pace. 4-2-3-1. Mix of veterans (Neuer, Kroos, Müller) with a new generation (Rüdiger, Werner, Havertz, Gnabry). For the time being it seems to be a successful experimental phase in which he won everything he played, but without encountering any real candidates.

The German public, meanwhile, remains alienated. One of the biggest complaints is the distance between the players and the people, as well as an overly commercial look that promotes a product rather than a team.

In June 2022, a poll of Germans showed that almost 70% intended to abandon the relationship with the term Mannschaft – even corrupted by legends such as Lottar Matthaus. A month later, it became official that the national team would abandon the concept after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The pieces must fit. Otherwise it won’t work. Flick’s team prepares to say goodbye to Die Mannschaft. And especially hello to Germany. Those of order, synchronization, efficiency and individual talent. That of tradition.