Under normal circumstances, the national team’s press conference would certainly have been different. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger and midfielder Linda Dallmann would have talked about the visit of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the work with interim national coach Horst Hrubesch would have been more focused, perhaps also the joint application of the German Football Association (DFB) with the Netherlands and Belgium for the 2027 World Cup, which was officially announced on Wednesday. After all, that was the reason for the high-ranking political visit. What was much more interesting were answers to a person who is not with the national team: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg.
On Tuesday evening, a new post was published on the national coach’s personal Instagram profile, the first since she spoke out about the early exit from the World Cup in Australia on August 4th. Several pages, densely filled with sentences, headed “Statement by Martina Voss-Tecklenburg on the current situation.” On September 8th, the DFB announced that Voss-Tecklenburg was on sick leave. In public perception this was still the case. The surprise and irritation was even greater when performances were announced last weekend – and as a result the news that the 55-year-old has been on vacation for some time.
“The topic is a big and widespread one at the moment,” acknowledged Dallmann, “I can say that it’s really not the most relevant thing for us right now. We’re in a very serious situation in terms of football.” The team has to focus on the upcoming games, as it already has a big task to accomplish. When it came to a possible extension of the collaboration with Hrubesch, Berger replied that the team was open to anything, “of course it would probably be fun, just as it is already fun. But in the end we don’t have much say in it.”
Dallmann and Berger also avoid a commitment to the national coach
It became clear how satisfied the national players should be to be working with the popular 72-year-old and also with assistant coach Thomas Nörenberg again after tense weeks. Dallmann described an “extreme looseness” and the speed and joy of playing were back: “I already have the feeling of a fresh start.” As far as the Olympic qualification is concerned, the DFB women now have “the best coach in Horst to heat us up.” The 29-year-old from FC Bayern also provided direct proof of this: “He said he would run to France to see us play there – if we didn’t take him with us.”
Like many other colleagues before them, Berger and Dallmann also avoided a clear commitment to the national coaches. They answered evasively and even diplomatically. Whether the players had now had contact with Voss-Tecklenburg remained unanswered. In the initial phase of the sick note it was said that she would be left alone to ensure her recovery. Around the World Cup, there were also rumors of discord between Voss-Tecklenburg and the team. Lena Oberdorf said on Monday that she had “a few question marks” about the national coach’s behavior – and that she would have liked the World Cup to have been discussed first and then a vacation.
Under interim national coach Horst Hrubesch (left) and assistant coach Thomas Nörenberg, the national team’s spirits have apparently improved.
(Photo: Marc Student/Imago)
In her statement, Voss-Tecklenburg also addresses the pending completion of the tournament analysis and its future. She writes that during the discussions with the sports management she came to the “firm conviction” that she could form a strong unit with everyone involved and build on successes again. This can clearly be understood to mean that she wants to continue working as a national coach; and it reads like the continuation of her statement one day after the World Cup exit, when she stated: “I have never run away when things have become difficult” and formulated the will to take the next steps.
The DFB had been signaled that it was ready for further processing of the World Cup and discussions about future cooperation. An appointment is now expected at short notice, “after which the managing director Andreas Rettig will also return from the USA”. The return flight of the DFB entourage from the men’s international trip took place on October 18th, and Rettig was also there when Chancellor Scholz visited. Voss-Tecklenburg further writes that the exchange with the DFB takes place regularly and in a trusting manner, and that her employer is informed “about all the circumstances of my personal situation.” Also about the fact that Voss-Tecklenburg “attended some private appointments” as part of her vacation.
From the association’s side, it all sounds a little different, more like hardened fronts. “Currently, communication is primarily taking place via Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s legal representation,” said a DFB spokeswoman when asked German press agency. The statement, which was published before the press conference with Berger and Dallmann, seems distant: “We would like to make it clear that Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has informed us that she will only be available for a personal conversation after her vacation after a reflection period,” it says in the message. “Of course we respected this and planned for it.” The association is aiming for a joint discussion soon after the holiday, it will not preempt it, the priority is the Olympic qualification. The Nations League continues on Friday against Wales (5.45 p.m., ARD) in Sinsheim, followed by the game on Tuesday in Iceland.
A lot of things remain opaque, both sides are likely to weigh up their statements and their timing carefully. Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s contract was extended in April until the 2025 European Championship. Should there be an early termination, a severance payment would probably be due – and the DFB is already financially struggling.