Operating Room, kindly make your way, Dr. Nagelsmann.
Germany's national team, having overcome the traumatic experiences of previous home tournaments, is once again facing an unforeseen upheaval. It's bigger than what Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann may have anticipated. With key players like Toni Kroos (announced), Thomas Müller (expected), İlkay Gündoğan (surprising), and Manuel Neuer (also surprising) entering the scene, the stable foundation is being dismantled immediately. However, this is not a late summer 2024 emergency operation. Unlike the end of 2023, when Nagelsmann scrapped his previous strategies and succeeded with new methods.
But these methods were not as revolutionary as they seemed. Veteran Toni Kroos, for instance, was a well-established member of the team before his post-2022 World Cup Cup withdrawal in Qatar. Nagelsmann reintroduced the Real Madrid midfielder to the heart of the team, reorganizing things around him. He moved Gündoğan into his best role as an offensive playmaker. And so on and so forth. However, the patient needs reinforcements again to avoid a relapse.
The least invasive procedure takes place in goal. The departure of Manuel Neuer, who wanted to play forever, everywhere, and always, makes way for a new Manuel Neuer. Everyone thought so, especially the tabloids, until the unexpected announcement: Neuer is leaving the DFB team immediately. The end of an era, of a legendary goalkeeper who revolutionized the goalkeeper's role on June 30, 2014. In the shaky World Cup duel against Algeria (2:1 after extra time), he cleared the path as a goalkeeper-defender hybrid in a manner never seen before. And that was a lot. But with this "dirty game," Germany paved the way to the title and Neuer to the new breed of goalkeeper-libero.
Who will replace the role of Thomas Müller?
Marc-André ter Stegen is set to guide Germany to tournament success as the number one, a position he has long been ready for. There's no need to worry. After all, Manuel Neuer, the libero - still top-notch, no doubt - was no longer the all-consuming goalkeeper monster of the past. More intriguing is the situation behind him. Who will be number two? Will the veterans Oliver Baumann, Kevin Trapp, and Bernd Leno maintain their leading positions? Or will Alexander Nübel move up, who could also become number one one day? Particularly since the situation behind the Stuttgart keeper, who plays for FC Bayern, is bleak.
Sportingly, the vacancy left by Thomas Müller is no longer a significant DFB construction site in the offense. A sparkling array of talents lights up like a jewelry store display: Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, who gained fame at the EM with a nickname reminiscent of South African horse racing. There's also Maximilian Beier, whose spatial understanding could one day rival Müller's dimensions, and who is expected to continue growing at BVB. Propelled by the new number ten Julian Brandt, who also seeks a return to the national team. And the still young Kai Havertz can also contribute offensively, even if he recently played as the first striker.
Returning to Thomas Müller, perhaps the most pressing concern for the national team coach and the squad is not his on-ball class: Who will replace him as the emotional leader? Joshua Kimmich could take up the mantle. Or Antonio Rüdiger. Or Niclas Füllkrug, who must first prove himself in the Premier League. A new 'Radio Müller' is not easily found.
Especially problematic is the situation in the center
The major transformation must take place at the most sensitive part of the DFB body: the middle. Where heart and soul meet. Where Kroos was successfully transplanted and instantly boosted the team's heart rate. Where Gündoğan was shifted to a more advanced role and played his best international games in his Manchester City capacity. Where even Nagelsmann struggled to find the right treatment method before his emergency surgery. Like Hansi Flick and the late Joachim Löw before him.
The eternal question of whether Germany can succeed with the world-class player "molded" by Pep Guardiola was answered in the final stages of their journey: Yes, it can, and quite effectively. Robert Andrich served as the third wheel. He's still there, but in what role? That's the big question. The "Süddeutsche Zeitung" saw him primarily as a starter, as he cleared space for Kroos' final task. Now, the engine room is undergoing reconstruction. Will Andrich remain the right gear?
What could the new engine room look like? Perhaps Wirtz will take over the Gündoğan position. He plays it differently, but best from the number ten spot. Musiala could also move to the center, but his pace is better suited on the wing than Werder Bremen's playmaker's. But who will provide backup? Could this be the (short) time of 33-year-old Pascal Groß, who has shown his mettle in big tasks in the Premier League and is now primarily tasked with stabilizing BVB?
It seems like we're discussing the potential changes in the German national team and FC Bayern, especially regarding the position of Joshua Kimmich. Kimmich, under the new coach Vincent Kompany, is shifting back to the central midfield role from right back at Bayern. This move could lead to Joao Palhinha, the anticipated 'Holding Six', taking over, potentially pushing out Aleksandar Pavlović who Nagelsmann appreciates but missed the EM due to health issues.
Could Stuttgart's influence emerge?
Given his lack of a prominent role at Bayern, Pavlović may not have a significant position in the national team, which is now solely focused on the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the USA. Another issue: If Kimmich were to return to midfield, who would take over as right back for the national team? Or will things remain unchanged due to a lack of strong alternatives, defying the typical practices in Pavlović's main job?
Another highly respected figure in the midfield is Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller. Honed by coach Sebastian Hoeneß since his days at FC Bayern II and TSG Hoffenheim, Stiller has become essential for Stuttgart, as shown in the Super Cup when their loss and title defeat were precipitated by his departure from the field. Stiller could potentially form a lasting partnership with Chris Fuhrich, Deniz Undav, and Maxi Mittelstadt, if Stuttgart continues its successful journey under coach Hoeneß.
The national team coach's decisions might not necessarily focus on long-term prospects, as his contract ends after the 2026 World Cup and his focus is solely on this tournament. "We aim to be world champions," he stated after the disappointing EM elimination against Spain in the quarter-finals. The choices are overwhelming. Nagelsmann is again in demand with his clear-sighted knowledge. Please, Dr. Nagelsmann, we need you!
The Commission will need to consider the potential replacement for Thomas Müller's leadership role within the national team.
The upcoming engine room reconstruction in the German national team could see Angelo Stiller, honed by Sebastian Hoeneß, emerge as a key player.
