Berlin – Germany coach Joachim Loew says the national team
needs "good results again" following its relegation from the Nations
League and early exit from last year's World Cup.
Germany face Serbia in a friendly in Wolfsburg on Wednesday before a
Euro 2020 qualifier in Amsterdam against the Netherlands four days
later.
Germany's last game was a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in
Gelsenkirchen in a Nations League match in November. Germany had lost
3-0 to the Dutch in Amsterdam the previous month.
"Now we need a good way of playing with a lot of enthusiasm. But
above all we need good results again. And for that we need the
courage to change," Loew told Germany's Welt am Sonntag newspaper.
Loew is now planning with younger players after announcing that
Bayern Munich trio Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Thomas Mueller
would no longer be selected.
It would now be up to players like Bayern central defender Niklas
Suele to take on greater responsibility, he said.
"Niklas is now in charge (in defence). We expect more from him. He
has to organize, direct, show presence at the back. The same goes for
(Chelsea's) Antonio Ruediger," Loew said.
Loew said he was surprised at the criticism surrounding the manner
Hummels, Boateng and Mueller were discarded.
Loew said he visited the trio in Munich for a "personal, direct and
honest conversation" on his decision.
"I know there are other coaches who do not even make a phone call.
They just decide and no longer nominate the player," he said.