The Bundesliga is about to end, meaning that internationals are just around the corner. DFB Team head coach Joachim Löw spoke to DFB.de about the final matchday, the senior squad’s upcoming games as well as about the U17 team who are about to play in a European Championship final.
DFB.de: Mr. Löw, the Bundesliga is about to come to a close. What are your thoughts on the season?
Joachim Löw: A few things still have to be dealt with so it’s difficult to say. Bayern need to be congratulated for the way they lifted the trophy. Pep Guardiola’s men deserve a lot of respect for the way that they’ve performed in all three competitions. VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach have developed well and it was interesting to see Borussia Dortmund fight back. They’ve shown a lot of character to get to where they currently are. The relegation scrap isn’t over yet and it promises to be an exciting day. I’d like to wish everyone involved all of the best.
DFB.de: Jürgen Klopp leaves Dortmund at the end of the season. What are your thoughts on his decision?
Löw: I have a lot of respect for it. He has always given 100% to the club, the team and his players. He is a coach who puts his heart and soul into everything. I’m sure he’ll carry on achieving great things wherever he moves to next.
DFB.de: In the coming weeks your side faces the USA and Gibraltar. The games take place a while after the season has ended – will this have an impact upon the players?
Löw: It’s not ideal but we’ve known the situation for a while. We can’t worry about it now – we need to focus on the future. It’s also worth noting that for some of the lads the season won’t finish this weekend. VfL Wolfsburg face Borussia Dortmund in the DFB Cup final on 30th May; Mesut Özil and Arsenal play in the FA Cup final on the same day.
DFB.de: Is there a risk that the Bayern players won’t be up for the games? The season is pretty much over for them now.
The Bundesliga is about to end, meaning that internationals are just around the corner. DFB Team head coach Joachim Löw spoke to DFB.de about the final matchday, the senior squad’s upcoming games as well as about the U17 team who are about to play in a European Championship final.
DFB.de: Mr. Löw, the Bundesliga is about to come to a close. What are your thoughts on the season?
Joachim Löw: A few things still have to be dealt with so it’s difficult to say. Bayern need to be congratulated for the way they lifted the trophy. Pep Guardiola’s men deserve a lot of respect for the way that they’ve performed in all three competitions. VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach have developed well and it was interesting to see Borussia Dortmund fight back. They’ve shown a lot of character to get to where they currently are. The relegation scrap isn’t over yet and it promises to be an exciting day. I’d like to wish everyone involved all of the best.
DFB.de: Jürgen Klopp leaves Dortmund at the end of the season. What are your thoughts on his decision?
Löw: I have a lot of respect for it. He has always given 100% to the club, the team and his players. He is a coach who puts his heart and soul into everything. I’m sure he’ll carry on achieving great things wherever he moves to next.
DFB.de: In the coming weeks your side faces the USA and Gibraltar. The games take place a while after the season has ended – will this have an impact upon the players?
Löw: It’s not ideal but we’ve known the situation for a while. We can’t worry about it now – we need to focus on the future. It’s also worth noting that for some of the lads the season won’t finish this weekend. VfL Wolfsburg face Borussia Dortmund in the DFB Cup final on 30th May; Mesut Özil and Arsenal play in the FA Cup final on the same day.
DFB.de: Is there a risk that the Bayern players won’t be up for the games? The season is pretty much over for them now.
Löw: We’re talking about players who won the World Cup last summer. They are role models in terms of being professional. We spoke with the clubs to create individual training programmes for the guys. I therefore have no worries. If I have my doubts about a certain player, for whatever reason, they won’t be selected.
DFB.de: Do you have anything in mind already? Which players will be in the squad for the upcoming games?
Löw: We’re waiting for the season to finish first. Over the weekend we’ll make our decisions before speaking with the clubs and players. Hansi Flick will also be involved with the discussions. The squad will be published on Tuesday.
DFB.de: Horst Hrubesch will name his squad for the U21 European Championship on the same day. He’ll want to select the team which will give his side the best chance of success...
Löw: We feel that the U21 side is the best possible way to prepare a player for the senior team. We have a few scenarios in mind regarding individuals. For some it would be beneficial to take part in the tournament, for others it would make more sense to report for senior duty. Hansi Flick and myself have the same thoughts and goals. We’ll select a talented and motivated squad for the games against the USA and Gibraltar.
DFB.de: On Friday the U17s face France in the European Championship final. The youth teams have been the ideal place for youngsters to develop…
Löw: Absolutely. I’m delighted for Christian Wück and I have my fingers crossed for his team. Anything is possible in a final. It’s great to see the youth teams performing well. Our various teams have qualified for all of this year’s major tournaments. There has been excellent development within the teams and we’re pleased that they have all been so successful.
