DFB: Nagelsmann about Hummels & Goretzka’s exit from the European Championship

Both “extremely” disappointed

According to national coach Julian Nagelsmann, Mats Hummels and Leon Goretzka received the news that they were not nominated for the home European Championship with “extreme” disappointment. “I had longer conversations with both of them,” reported Nagelsmann on Thursday in Berlin at the presentation of his preliminary tournament squad. “I think it’s understandable that they are very sad about it.” Telling a player that he won’t be at a home European Championship has “a different impact” than squad nominations in the club.

“It’s not a nice decision to make,” emphasized Nagelsmann. “In the end, as head coach, I have to make a decision in the interests of the team.” The national coach had previously explained that the squad composition was also a result of the test games last March in France (2:0) and against the Netherlands (2:1). be. The long-time national players Hummels (35; Borussia Dortmund) and Goretzka (29; FC Bayern) were not there either.

“In the end, both of them were very disappointed and would have liked to have been there,” said Nagelsmann, who had already worked with Goretzka as Bayern coach. “I’ve known Leon for a long time, we had a lot of conversations.” The conversation was “of course emotional,” but “not angry from either side.” The national coach did not pass on the content of the discussions on Thursday, and the two professionals have not yet commented themselves. With a market value of 30 million euros, Goretzka is one of the top 10 most valuable German footballers, while Hummels played a key role in BVB’s entry into the Champions League final with strong performances.

Nagelsmann also confirmed that at the beginning of the week he personally informed everyone who had previously been nominated under him. This would also have applied to Malick Thiaw, Julian Brandt, Jonas Hofmann or Jan-Niklas Beste, for example. “The shortest conversation lasted 1:11 minutes, the longest 10:30,” said the 36-year-old.

DFB sports director Völler reports on “hardship cases” – shaky candidates know about it

Sports director Rudi Völler reported in Berlin that “of course there were also cases of hardship”. From the Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund, only striker Niclas Füllkrug and defender Nico Schlotterbeck are there, but alongside veteran Hummels there is also no Brandt or Niklas Süle.

The final European Championship squad, which must be reported to UEFA by June 7th (midnight), may contain a maximum of 26 players. So Nagelsmann still has to delete one actor. That will be an outfield player because Nagelsmann wants to have four goalkeepers in the squad. Nagelsmann revealed whoever is a shaky candidate knows about it.