Germany coach Löw answers criticism, still convinced of path

Despite a 6-Zero loss to Spain final month, Germany is “on the right path” and can return to type, coach Joachim Löw mentioned.

Löw held a press convention to handle the crew’s rocky scenario after a lackluster Nations League marketing campaign culminated with Germany’s heaviest defeat since a 6-Zero loss to Austria in a pleasant 1931.

“We were all disappointed and angry with this game,” Löw mentioned of the defeat in Seville. “The anger is still simmering inside me personally because we knew we had no quick possibility of correcting the result.” Germany’s subsequent recreation is not going to be till the subsequent worldwide break in March 2021.

Löw mentioned he and his teaching employees have already analyzed the loss to Spain and drawn classes from it, whereas it was additionally mentioned with the German soccer federation.

“We always question ourselves internally. We’re very, very self-critical,“ Löw said.

Löw, who has been in charge since after the 2006 World Cup, said he has had setbacks over the years, and that he expected setbacks when he announced a fresh start for the team in 2019 after its disappointing World Cup defense the year before. Löw led Germany to the World Cup title in 2014.

“If you look beyond the Spain game, this young team is on the right path,” Löw mentioned. “We’re sticking to our plan and are convinced that there is, was and will be a positive development. I’m convinced of it.” He spoke of his anger that particulars of his assembly with federation officers final Monday had been publicized, and mentioned he had made his annoyance recognized.

“Our job now is to play our best possible tournament,” Löw mentioned with a view to the postponed European Championship subsequent yr. “I’ve been to a few tournaments and know what can happen.” Löw has been in cost for 189 video games and has a contract till after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Asked concerning the potential return of World Cup winners Thomas Müller, Mats Hummels and Jérôme Boateng — whom he dropped in March 2019 — Löw referred to the interval earlier than the World Cup in 2014, when veteran gamers additionally made means for youthful ones, and mentioned there was no cause now to recall the skilled trio.

“I’ve no idea today how the situation will be in March. I hope all the players will come through the winter safely,” Löw mentioned.