For the German national team, the 2026 World Cup is already over. Bayern pros like Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, and Jamal Musiala are now heading off on vacation and plan to return to Bayern in a few weeks to get back to business.
While the DFB is currently carrying out a sweeping overhaul, there’s still plenty to talk about regarding the World Cup that’s just ended for the German team—including what it means for some of the FC Bayern players.
It’s now definitively clear that Manuel Neuer will no longer play for the national team. In Joshua Kimmich’s case, it seems very clear that he’ll continue. After the team’s elimination, he already stated that he’s not the type to walk away in such a situation.
Hamann Criticizes Kimmich
Dietmar Hamann, who works as an analyst for Sky among other roles, has recently been particularly critical of the DFB captain. He believes that Kimmich’s retirement would be a step toward a fresh start. Hamann has now reiterated this view.
On the “TOMorrow Business” podcast, the former national team player said: “He’s now had five tournaments in a position of responsibility. And he’s failed five times.”
Hamann also criticized Kimmich’s statement that he doesn’t want to hide or run away now.
His clear message to the Bayern player: “This has nothing to do with running away. It has to do with taking responsibility.” The former midfielder even made it clear how much he would respect such a move: “That would be a statement on his part. I would give him immense credit for that.”
In his opinion, however, this won’t influence Kimmich himself. And it’s also unlikely that Jürgen Klopp—should he actually become the national team coach—would pass up a player like Kimmich.
Meanwhile, Hamann is calling for more self-criticism from the Bayern star. “Then I expect a player like that—if he’s supposed to be a top player—to take responsibility and say, ‘Well, it was wonderful here. I’m grateful for the support. I tried everything.’”