National soccer team: This speaks for and against Völler staying with the DFB

Julian Nagelsmann has left as national coach. Managing director Andreas Rettig will expire his contract at the end of the year. And what will happen to Völler? The third in the league of failed sporting management. Do we still need the eternal Rudi at the DFB? Especially when the national coach’s desired solution with Jürgen Klopp is fixed. There are pros and cons.

That speaks for Rudi Völler as DFB sports director

Always take it easy. Anyone who is now calling for Völler to be replaced is overlooking the 66-year-old’s core competencies. And they have been helping the DFB as an association and German football as a whole in various functions for decades.

Of course, the former center forward, who was world champion in 1990, always stood by Nagelsmann. He also supported all decisions, no matter how controversial they might be. But now we only have to look forward. And that raises the question: What else can Völler give to German football? The answer: a lot.

Together with league president Hans-Joachim Watzke, Völler established a quick connection to Klopp. His network is unique anyway. Or does anyone know anyone who can’t stand Rudi?

That’s just one argument. The former team boss, whom young and old still sing about today with the hit song “There is only one Rudi Völler” from 2002, has great support within the association. He simply reaches out to the officials and can ensure understanding and cohesion there. This will also be important in the next few months, when it’s not just about reforms, but also about money and positions.

Why shouldn’t working with Klopp work too? Two grown men, almost the same generation and both absolute professionals. They will form an alliance of convenience. And if it doesn’t work? Then it’ll be over in two years and then the contract will expire. The DFB can save itself the severance payment.

That speaks against Rudi Völler as DFB sports director

Honestly. Völler’s time is over. If the inevitable new start is to succeed, one cannot continue in a leading position with a key protagonist from the past. The old faces have had their day. This is how professional football works.

Who, if not Völler, represents the Nagelsmann system, which has failed miserably. The father-son relationship on public display was touching. But she was also too sentimental. Every measure was approved and accepted. Against better judgment or out of conviction? Doesn’t matter.

Völler’s contributions to German football are undisputed. They stay too – forever. No worries. In the future, everyone will continue to sing the popular song “There is only one Rudi Völler” when Völler shows up. But now young people have to take action. Klopp will almost certainly come as national coach. A duo, 66 (Völler) and 59 (Klopp) years old, is supposed to represent a new beginning? The fans don’t deserve that after this World Cup.

Change requires fresh ideas, new perspectives – and also a good dose of internationality. Football abroad plays in different dimensions. And there are young people who would be willing. Per Mertesacker (41) is often mentioned as having led the youth academy of England’s champions Arsenal FC. How are the 2014 world champions supposed to take responsibility if they don’t let them? As a national coach, Klopp could also use input from a younger perspective.