DFB: Baumgart criticises treatment of deserving players - fans agree

National coach Hansi Flick continues to be criticised after his team's poor performances in test matches a few weeks ago. Steffen Baumgart has now also commented on the DFB's current situation. The coach of 1. FC Köln criticised in particular the handling of tried and tested players. FanQ therefore asked German football fans whether they are also bothered by the way deserving professionals are treated in this country.

'Effzeh' coach: "We dismantle our boys every time"

When asked about the current state of German football, Steffen Baumgart was not sparing with his critical comments in an interview with Bild am Sonntag. "I think Hansi Flick is a good national coach," admitted the FC Köln manager before adding: "Let me put it this way: we had a World Cup in Russia that wasn't so good. After that, we drove some of our best players away."

The 51-year-old was referring to two players in particular: "Toni Kroos and Thomas Müller - they were suddenly no longer good enough. Instead, we convinced ourselves that we had to rely on youngsters." However, it is particularly important to introduce young players carefully. "Musiala and Wirtz are talents - nothing more. Yes, top talents who I would also like to have in the team, but they are currently still living off players like Müller and Kimmich," said Baumgart.

You want your vote to count too? Vote here!

In particular, the 'Effzeh' coach criticised the national philosophy when it comes to players who have shown strong performances over the years: "Every other nation lets their 36-year-old heroes play until they can no longer walk. Because they are simply the best." The 51-year-old cited the 2018 World Cup runners-up as an example. "The Croats would carry a Modric onto the pitch so that he can still play for his country at the age of 38 because he's a hero. And what about us? We tear our lads apart every time," Baumgart ranted.

In this context, the Bundesliga coach also held the TV pundits responsible: "I have a problem with the public, especially the so-called experts, who have all played themselves, deciding who is good enough."

For this reason, FanQ asked football fans in Germany whether they are also bothered by the way deserving players are treated in Germany. Almost three quarters of respondents (73.79 %) are of the opinion that in Germany there is often a lack of respect for players who have impressed over many seasons. Only 11.03 % see it differently and believe that it is quite normal for professionals to have had their day at some point.