Uli Hoeneß’s criticism of national team coach Julian Nagelsmann is causing discussion, and now DFB managing director Andreas Rettig has reacted clearly to the statements made by Bayern’s honorary president
Following Uli Hoeneß’s recent public criticism of Julian Nagelsmann, the German Football Association has now issued a clear response
DFB Managing Director Andreas Rettig demonstratively backed the national coach at an event organized by his home club „Düsseldorfer Jonges“ – and sharply criticized Hoeneß
Rettig explained that he was „astonished“ by the Bayern patron’s statements and felt that the public criticism of Nagelsmann was „simply unnecessary“
The long-standing Bundesliga official was particularly clear when asked about Hoeneß‘ motivation: „I can’t remember anyone from the DFB asking Mr. Hoeneß to issue an interim report for Mr. Nagelsmann. I don’t know what his motivation is either.“
Rettig clearly defends Nagelsmann
At the same time, Rettig clearly defended the national coach. „Nagelsmann is not quite as bad as some people say,“ said the DFB managing director with a sideways glance
Rettig also refused to understand Hoeneß’s statement that Nagelsmann had reacted „slightly offended“ after a personal conversation
„In two and a half years of working with Nagelsmann at the DFB“, he had „never once been offended“, emphasized Rettig, „even when we had a row.“
With regard to Hoeneß, he also added pointedly: „Sometimes it also depends on who the sender is.“
Rettig recalls Bayern’s interest in Nagelsmann
Hoeneß had criticized, among other things, that the German national team was not yet sufficiently well-rehearsed just a few weeks before the start of the World Cup
Rettig also clearly refuted this accusation, saying that in the past six international matches, „at least eight, at times up to ten“ national team players were missing through injury
„You can’t blame the coach for this,“ the DFB official clarified
Rettig also recalled that FC Bayern itself had once invested a lot of money in Nagelsmann, paying more than €20 million to RB Leipzig for the current national team coach in 2021
And even after parting ways with Thomas Tuchel in spring 2024, the record champions are said to have intensively courted Nagelsmann again. „There will be a reason for that,“ said Rettig
The 62-year-old also referred to Nagelsmann’s sporting record against Paris Saint-Germain. Under his leadership, FC Bayern had won twice against PSG – while Munich had most recently lost to the French side in the Champions League semi-finals.