GERMANY
Thomas Tuchel criticizes USMNT-Germany friendly
The Bayern coach does not agree with the workload his players have to deal with.
Germany is eagerly awaiting Julian Nagelsmann’s first game as head coach of the national team. The former Bayern Munich coach has replaced Hansi Flick ahead of EURO 2024 in Germany next summer. Nagelsmann’s side take on the USMNT on Saturday in the first of two friendlies on a mini-tour of the USA that has been heavily criticized in Germany.
Tuchel doesn’t agree with friendlies in US
“I don’t know if it makes sense to play Mexico in the United States before a European Championship in Germany. I also don’t know if anyone can explain it to me in a coherent way so that I understand it,” Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel said of the game.
“The players come back on Thursday and are on the plane to Mainz (Bundesliga) on Friday and then fly to Istanbul (Champions League against Besiktas) on Monday and come back on Wednesday. But nobody asks us before deciding. They know our opinion and they don’t want to hear it,” he stressed.
Nagelsmann gives opinion
Nagelsmann, his predecessor at the Allianz Arena, was quick to respond. “Generally speaking, a training camp abroad is always good in terms of atmosphere because you spend a lot of time together where you can have a lot of conversations and get to know each other better. So you have to make the most of the time and deal with it positively. Although, as I said, of course, I can understand the criticism,” he said ahead of the friendly against the USA this weekend.