Interview | Uli Hoeneß: “Müller will play at the European Championships”

“It really excites me,” says Hoeneß in an interview with the German Press Agency. He wants to say what's going on, even after the final whistle in a conversation with national coach Joachim Löw.

At the age of 69, you are doing something new again and will provide verbal support for the upcoming international matches as an RTL expert. What is your motivation?

Uli Hoeneß: “But there are a few reasons why I do this. Firstly, RTL wooed me incredibly. I enjoy challenges. I've never done anything like that, and I laughed at those who did. Now I see it as a challenge.”

They stood and stand for plain language: What kind of expert can viewers expect? Is Joachim Löw's attack department thriving?

Hoeness: "No. Firstly, I'm not a commentator during the game, I'm watching it in the studio. We will talk about the situation in German football before kick-off, during half-time and after the game. We will then have a conversation with Jogi Löw. And there I will say what I saw. I will certainly also deal with what I consider to be a difficult situation at the DFB. I see what’s happening at the moment as a big problem.” Hoeneß believes Joachim Löw's withdrawal is the right thing to do. © AFP / FABRICE COFFRINI

Question: Would you rather talk about the big picture than about false nines, counter-pressing or tactical systems?

Hoeness: “Commentator Marco Hagemann and former national player Steffen Freund should do this as co-commentary during the game. They can deal with the 'false eight' and the 'crooked nine'. I will assess the players' commitment and whether there is an upward trend after the 0-6 defeat in Spain.”

After the 0-6 defeat against Spain there were heated debates about Joachim Löw. He has now announced his retirement as national coach after the European Championships in the summer. How do you rate this decision?

Hoeness: “I welcomed it very much because it gave Jogi the reins of action again. He would have become a plaything. After every international match the coaching question would have been asked. In this way he created facts and clear relationships. I also think it's good that he announced this early on. Now the DFB can take care of the successor at their leisure. I am convinced that there is a lot to change at the DFB – not just the national coach.” “You can’t lose 0-6 in Spain and then say I’m going to the European Championships as favorite.” Uli Hoeneß on the DFB team's chances at the European Championships What do you expect from the national team in the upcoming games? And what's in it for Germany at the European Championships?

Hoeness: “I am convinced that the team will play much better than last time. I remind you of the overload on FC Bayern's players last autumn. Some of them weren't there at all or were injured. Now we have to see who Jogi Löw has available against Iceland. When the team is relatively complete, she is always a force to be reckoned with.”

Is Löw's team currently a candidate for the European Championship title?

Hoeness: "No. You can't lose 0-6 in Spain and then say I'm going to the European Championships as favorite. But Germany as an outsider is perhaps a good starting position.” Return to the DFB team? Hoeneß sees the chances for Thomas Müller intact. © AFP / JUAN MABROMATA

There are seven Bayern professionals in Löw's squad. There is a heated debate about someone who is not there: Thomas Müller. Do you think Löw will bring him back for the European Championships?

Hoeness: “Jogi Löw knows my opinion. And I’m pretty sure that the German national team will play with Thomas Müller at the European Championships.”

How did you explain this to the national coach?

Hoeness: “You can’t do without a player who is a defining figure at FC Bayern in the Bundesliga and Champions League. It's not about a youth team that you have to build up, but about a team that should win something. Thomas is undoubtedly one of the best in Germany. That’s why he has to play at the European Championships.”

You have already mentioned the search for a successor to Löw. Many names were and are mentioned, Jürgen Klopp, Ralf Rangnick, Lothar Matthäus, and of course Bayern coach Hansi Flick. Who should it be?

Hoeness: "I can not say that. Oliver Bierhoff and the DFB should decide that calmly. I think it's good that people want to take their time. There is certainly one possibility or the other – and in the end the shot has to be right.” “They have clearly replaced Borussia Dortmund as Bayern’s big pursuer at the moment.” Uli Hoeneß about RB Leipzig What would you think of a spectacular coaching swap: Flick to the DFB and Löw to FC Bayern?

Hoeness: “Well, now we don’t want to worry about other people’s heads. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has pretty much made up his mind when it comes to Hansi Flick. And there’s nothing to add to that at the moment.”

Finally, a question about the Bundesliga title fight. After the international break there will be a showdown between RB Leipzig and Bayern. Are the people of Leipzig now on an equal footing?

Hoeness: “Leipzig is having an outstanding season. They have also become much more consistent. Good work is being done there. They have clearly replaced Borussia Dortmund as Bayern's big pursuer at the moment. It's going to be a great football game. It's wonderful for us that we can go to Leipzig with a four point lead. So Leipzig has to come. Because if they don't win, they certainly won't become champions. That’s why this game has great appeal.”

	SP	TV	P
1. Bayer Leverkusen	31	77:22	81
2. Bayern Munich	31	89:38	69
3. VfB Stuttgart	31	70:38	64
4. RB Leipzig	31	73:35	62
5. Bor. Dortmund	31	59:39	57
6. Eintracht Frankfurt	31	47:42	45
View all

	SP	TV	P
1. FC St Pauli	31	57:33	63
2. Holstein Kiel	31	61:37	61
3. Fortuna Dusseldorf	31	65:36	56
4. Hamburger SV	31	59:42	52
5. Karlsruhe SC	31	62:45	49
6. Hannover 96	31	53:39	46
View all

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Interview | Uli Hoeneß: “Müller will play at the European Championships”

Suggestions

Comments (0)