DFB women
First appearance as interim coach: What awaits Hrubesch
Taking over the DFB women again: Horst Hrubesch is expected. photo
© Robert Michael/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
In the complicated situation with the women’s national team, Horst Hrubesch is in demand as a crisis coach. The 72-year-old is stepping in for the second time – and is now presenting his strategy.
Just like Julian Nagelsmann should now do with the men Horst Hrubesch will provide new impetus for the weakening German footballers – and above all for the all-important Olympic qualification.
The 72-year-old will present himself as interim national coach for the first time this Friday (10 a.m.) at the DFB campus in Frankfurt. The squad for the next two Nations League games for the European runners-up will also be announced next Friday (5:45 p.m.) against outsiders Wales in Sinsheim and on October 31st (8:00 p.m.) in Iceland.
Association president Bernd Neuendorf and the new sports director Andreas Rettig will also be at the press conference. The DFB announced on September 28th that Hrubesch would replace head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, who was ill, for an indefinite period of time. The 55-year-old failed in the preliminary round with the German team at the World Cup in Australia and her return is considered unlikely. Hrubesch has already successfully coached the male U21 team and describes his new task as a “matter of the heart”. What awaits him in his crisis job:
The reactions
Only a few current national players have so far commented on Hrubesch’s personality. “It’s just good for us that there is some clarity. I’m looking forward to it, I’ve only heard good things about him,” said striker Laura Freigang (Eintracht Frankfurt), who, like other substitute players, is hoping for more playing time. Former national goalkeeper Almuth Schult said on ARD: “Of course I think a lot of him. He’s a guy who relates well to people, can inspire people and gets the last percent out of the team.”
The surrounding
The Hamburger SV striker idol had already helped out in this position for eight months in 2018 – between the terms of office of Steffi Jones and Voss-Tecklenburg. In this respect, he still knows a few players such as captain Alexandra Popp, Svenja Huth and Lina Magull. Britta Carlson, who most recently represented Voss-Tecklenburg, remains on the supervisory staff. Hrubesch’s confidante Thomas Nörenberg is back as another assistant coach. The position of sports director for women is still vacant.
The mood: The players had recently clearly demanded a solution because the situation surrounding Voss-Tecklenburg was clearly bothering them. The national coach has been missing for six weeks now and the World Cup analysis could not be completed. The World Cup debacle and the subsequent 2-0 opening defeat in Denmark in the Nations League caused deep uncertainty. Even though there was a 4-0 win against Iceland in Bochum. The VfL Wolfsburg players, who make up the majority of the selection, first have to cope with the shock of their previous Champions League elimination.
The sporting location
Only the group winner still has a chance of getting the Olympic ticket for Paris 2024, but they have to survive the semi-finals. In addition to hosts France, only two European teams are allowed to go to the summer games. Hrubesch had already saved the endangered World Cup qualification for France 2019 during his first term in office. If the Summer Games were missed, the next big tournament would be the 2025 European Championships in Switzerland.
The squad strength
A few regular employees are currently in top form. Defense chief Marina Hegering from VfL Wolfsburg is repeatedly missing and regular goalkeeper Merle Frohms suffered a concussion. Hopeful Sydney Lohmann from FC Bayern is out injured. Alternatives from the league? The tip is still thin. One who could establish herself would be Janina Minge from SC Freiburg. The lack of ideas on the offensive also permeates the game of the Munich and Wolfsburg women. The former “header monster” Hrubesch is particularly challenged here.