The German Women’s National Team, or the DFB Frauen, are a very successful national team with two World Cup wins, and eight Euro Championship wins. Germany has seen many talented and successful women’s soccer players, like Birgit Prinz, Nadine Keßler, Tabea Kemme, Nadine Angerer, Silvia Neid, Alexandra Popp, and my personal favorite Dzsenifer Marozsán. Even now, the future of the German Women’s National Team is still looking bright with players like Lea Schüller, Klara Bühl, Laura Freigang, Sydney Lohmann, Merle Frohms, Jule Brand and fan-favorite, Lena Oberdorf. However, with all this talent on the national team, with all the talent Germany and the Frauen Bundesliga continues to produce, what went wrong with Germany in their 2023 Women’s World Cup run? Journalists, writers, and fans have pointed to many problems on the national team leading up to the 2023 World Cup.
Line Up Changes and Tactics
Head Coach, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, would often play players out of position and this would lead to confusion and uncertainty on the field, and among the players. Her tactics and decisions in this world cup were very questionable. A prime example of this was playing Svenja Huth, a forward, as a rightback. Many fans questioned this because Svenja Huth isn’t a defender. Even at her club, VfL Wolfsburg, she isn’t played in the backline at all.
I do get what Voss-Tecklenburg was trying to do, though. She wanted more attacking players on the field to help with Germany’s attacking press. Huth in the rightback position, means Lina Magull can also be on the right wing, up top in the attack. However, the problem occurs when it’s time for the backline to defend, something the team has always struggled with. Huth, while she can defend, and has had to drop back to support the backline in some of Wolfsburg’s matches, is not a defender at the end of the day. She isn’t going to have the same defending ability as experienced defenders like Kathy Hendrich, Marina Hegering, Sara Doorsoun, or Felicitas Rauch.
Some might ask, what if Germany was missing defenders? In that case, I can see the argument of playing Svenja Huth as a right back (not really), but the thing is Germany was not hurting for defenders. Even when Sara Doursoon and Felicitas Rauch got injured, and couldn’t continue in the World Cup, Germany still wasn’t missing defenders. Sophia Kleineherne, a defender for Eintracht Frankfurt, could easily slip into that rightback position, while Huth could’ve stayed up top in the right wing.
Fans and journalists also questioned why Chantal Hagel, a midfielder, who was recently signed by VfL Wolfsburg, was playing as a leftback, after Felicitas Rauch got injured. I also questioned this too, but I found out later Hagel is a very flexible player able to play as a central midfielder, centerback, leftback, and attacking midfielder. I think I can give Voss-Tecklenburg a pass when it comes to selecting Hagel for the left back position. However, at Wolfsburg, Hagel will most likely be filling in that central midfield/attacking midfield position since the departure of Dutch midfielder, Jill Roord to Manchester City.
Voss-Tecklenburg’s tactics especially come into question even more when you start to realize that there is an overreliance on certain players leading up to the World Cup. Fans would often joke about how the team falls apart without defensive midfielder, Lena Oberdorf. Relying just on Oberdorf to keep things together in the midfield, is not good in the long run, especially when a player like Oberdorf also needs that support in the midfield.
When it comes to Germany’s attack, Voss-Tecklenburg is also relying too heavily on Alex Popp. It’s like Voss-Tecklenburg’s plans boil down to getting the ball to Popp by any means necessary. Creating services, crosses, and chances for Popp to get on the end of. The thing is, Popp is a very effective striker. She shows up in every game for both, Germany and Wolfsburg, and you can almost count on her to score a goal or two. The problem is, there’s an over reliance on Popp to carry Germany’s attack and score goals, when instead Voss-Tecklenburg should be trying to develop, and build confidence in attacking players like Klara Bühl, Lea Schüller, Jule Brand, Nicole Anyomi, Laura Freigang and so on.
In an article by Noah Platschoko for t-online, he points out “a clear tactical plan was not recognizable from outside… the game plan was completely tailored to Alex Popp, but there was no plan b.” And that’s the thing. What’s the plan b for when Popp decides to hang up her boots? The future of the DFB Frauen team is Klara Bühl, Lea Schüller, Jule Brand, Nicole Anyomi, Laura Freigang, Lena Oberdorf, Sophia Kleinherne, etc. but what is being done to prepare these players, and the team for the future?
Communication (or a Lack Thereof)
In an article for Sport Bild, Robert Schreier and Erik Peters, pointed out there was a lack of communication between the coaching staff and players. The players didn’t understand their role or what their tasks were on the field, they didn’t know why one player played and why the other didn’t. This is because the staff didn’t explain it to them. The communication from the coaching staff, dating back to the 2019 World Cup and 2022 Women’s Euro, was described as “distant and insufficient.”
When it came to this World Cup, this lack of communication was very apparent in Germany’s last group stage match against South Korea. After Morocco scored against Colombia, Germany needed to win their match against South Korea if they wanted to move onto the Round of Sixteen Knockout Stage. Germany went into the second half 1-1, and oddly enough, there was no change in how Germany played. No urgency, intensity or drive in the attack at all. Turns out Voss-Tecklenburg and the coaching staff didn’t tell players what the score was for the Morocco-Colombia match. In fact, Voss-Tecklenburg, didn’t tell the players until the 85th minute.
According to the @Upfront_Pod on Instagram, who had spoken to Lena Oberdorf after the game, Voss-Tecklenburg didn’t tell players at halftime, because she didn’t want to “apply pressure to them.”
People have said, it doesn’t matter what the score was between Morocco and Colombia, Germany should’ve played better. Yes, they should’ve, but things would’ve changed, in regards to how the team approached the second half, if they knew they were about to be knocked out. They would’ve gone into the second half with more urgency and intensity. I guarantee the players would’ve said to one another, “We’re about to be knocked out if we don’t do something.” Whereas, you tell them in the 85th minute, what are they supposed to do with that information? It’s the 85th minute. They have only 5 minutes plus extra time to get a goal, but at the same time they’re also processing this information, coming to the realization that their run is over. If they were told before the second half, maybe it would’ve made a difference, or maybe it would not, we will never know. What we do know is the poor communication from Voss-Tecklenburg and the coaching staff is a factor that led to Germany’s downfall in this World Cup.
Hotel/Basecamp Selection
There was a lot of talk regarding the basecamp of the National Team. Some words that kept coming up was “isolated,” “secluded,” and “quiet.” Germany was based in Wyong, New South Wales, Australia, 100km or 62 miles away from Sydney. In their article for Sport Bild, Schrier and Peters said, “the town of Wyong… is very rural. The hotel is not modern… The players complained that they were freezing at night because the windows did not close properly. Space to avoid cabin fever was limited. There was nothing to experience in the area except to caress koalas and kangaroos.”
Chantal Ranke for Sportbuzzer talked more about the hotel, “…the basecamp of the team: the Mercure Kooindah Waters Hotel… The approximately 70 members of the DFB staff live here. The players share apartments, consisting of kitchen, dining and living area, in pairs.”
The Mercure Kooindah Waters Hotel seems like a nice resort just going off the pictures. The reviews were mainly positive, lots of 4- and 5-star recent reviews, but I did see one- and two-star recent reviews as well. Obviously, reading reviews and looking at photos, doesn’t tell the whole story. Everyone’s experiences differ when it comes to hotels and travelling. One person may enjoy the hotel and its amenities, while another person may not. In this case, the players may not have had the best experience at this hotel.
Aftermath
Many questions were raised about Germany’s early exit from the World Cup. Fans were demanding change, saying Martina Voss-Tecklenburg needed to step down, or get sacked by the federation. Despite the evident failure at the World Cup, and in the friendlies leading up to World Cup, Voss-Tecklenburg is refusing to resign and the DFB is standing with her. The players, up to this point, have been silent.
Former German national team player, Tabea Kemme, isn’t silent though, and in an article she wrote for t-online, after Germany’s exit, where she even calls herself “eine Marionette des Systems”, “a puppet of the system,” Kemme says the problems with the DFB run deeper than fans, journalists, myself originally thought. It goes beyond Germany’s failure in this World Cup, and last year’s World Cup farce with the men’s national team.
Kemme writes (this is an English translation):
“…let’s be honest: You don’t need to analyze this tournament anymore, you have to go deeper. The fact is: We are completely behind in Germany, especially when it comes to training. Once again we sleep through the moments when we have to fundamentally change something in the association for the professionalization of the league.
…When I criticized the lack of professionalism in the German league in a t-online interview before the World Cup in Australia, I got a call from the DFB immediately afterwards. I don’t have the feeling that the association wants to change something from the inside. And suggestions from outside are blocked.”
“…We’re talking about a highly indebted association that now had to take the next sporting setback with the debacle of the women’s team. That shows all the more that the DFB needs an impetus from outside. The fear of a loss of power is too great for those responsible…”
-Tabea Kemme, Former Player for the Germany Women’s National Team
It is very obvious that changes are needing to take place, but I find it very interesting that as soon as Kemme called out the lack of professionalism in the German league, she got a call from the DFB. That tells me that they would rather silence those speaking out, rather than making the necessary changes. Players speaking out is a threat to those in power. Those in power don’t want to have their authority questioned or criticized. Honestly, imagine having this power, this power to change things, to make things better for the women’s team, to give them the tools to be on top of the world again, to win friendlies, World Cups, Olympic Medals, and Euro trophies, but instead you go and use your power to call up a former player after she said something you didn’t like. How powerful are you really? Do you deserve to be in a position of power, if this is what you use it for?
At the end of the day, changes are needing to happen, but if those in power aren’t willing to make those changes, then we’re back to square one, and both the women’s national team, and the men’s national team, are going to continue crashing and burning out of every major tournament. That is the reality and fate of the Germany men’s and women’s national teams, if something isn’t done.
What’s Next?
After Germany’s exit, after the demands for “MVTOut,” after the articles and columns have been written, after all was said and done, more news is coming out in regards to what’s next for the DFB Frauen National Team. On Thursday, August 17th, it was announced that former DFB Frauen and former VfL Wolfsburg player, Nadine Keßler is set to succeed Oliver Bierhoff as DFB CEO. She will be responsible for managing the DFB Academy, the DFB Women’s National Team, and the DFB Men’s National Team.
For those calling for Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s resignation/sacking (MVTOut), you will be disappointed. According to a new article for SPORTBILD, by Robert Schreier and Erik Peters, as of Thursday, August 24th, Voss-Tecklenburg will be allowed to continue as national team head coach, BUT with probation. Voss-Tecklenburg and her coaching staff faced a tough inquiry and were asked “uncomfortable questions” about what went wrong, and how things will improve. Schreier and Peters also add, “The details are still being worked out in group and individual discussions. The rounds so far, however, are enough for the DFB to determine that there are no personnel consequences in the short term…”
At the same time, the players “…did not position themselves against her [Martina Voss-Tecklenburg] in individual discussions with the DFB,” were more self-critical of themselves, and advocated for Voss-Tecklenburg, believing they can turn things around together. Players indicated that there were still clear mistakes made in the World Cup. Alex Popp indicates, she wishes to remain as captain of the national team, and the older players on the team, Svenja Huth, Marina Hegering, and Kathy Hendrich, also want to continue playing on the national team as well.
The article then went onto say the players miss former assistant coach, Thomas Nörenberg, who left the national team after the 2022 Euro for health reasons, and now works as an assistant for HSV. It was interesting because the players said, they missed what he brought to the coaching team, which was “empathy, emotionality, and closeness…” It seems as though, after Nörenberg left, there could’ve been some disconnect between the coaching staff and the players. I do think in order for the team, or any team for that matter, to be successful, there has to be a level of empathy, understanding, and trust. If players don’t feel like they’re being heard or understood, or if they feel like they can’t trust the coaching staff, it will just lead to more division and disconnection between the players and coaching staff.
The German Women’s National Team will have the UEFA Nations League and Olympic qualification in the upcoming months. It’s hard to say what these upcoming months will hold. Will necessary changes be made? Will communication be better between the coaching staff and players? Will we start to see more development when it comes to the younger players on the team? As they say, only time will tell.
ArmChair Sports 