Littbarski blames Nagelsmann for failure: “He has abandoned the team”

Former world champion Pierre Littbarski has intervened in the debate about the national coach with a devastating reckoning about Julian Nagelsmann. Littbarski attests Nagelsmann a “complete failure” and calls for his immediate resignation – assuming the coach still has an ounce of decency. The 62-year-old's sharp criticism is aimed directly at the leadership of the national team and Nagelsmann's responsibility for the early exit from the 2024 European Championship.

Littbarski, himself a defining figure in German football and world champion in 1990, fundamentally questions Nagelsmann's leadership qualities. In his ruthless analysis, he accuses the coach of letting the team down - both tactically and personally. The demand for consequences comes at a time when the DFB is under massive pressure to justify itself after the disappointing tournament.

Littbarski's public attack is not an isolated event, but is part of a series of voices that critically question Nagelsmann's work for the national team. Particularly explosive: Littbarski speaks of a “failure” on the part of the coach that goes beyond the sporting results. His words carry weight because he is considered a legend of German football and his opinion is widely respected by the public.

The criticism of Nagelsmann is also a question of symbolism. After years of being portrayed in the media as the “savior” of German football, the coach now stands for the exact opposite: a failed modernizer. Littbarski's accusation of “abandonment” hits a sore spot.

The 2024 European Championship revealed structural problems that go far beyond tactics - such as the players' lack of identification with the national team or the unclear role of the DFB as an employer. The debate about Nagelsmann's future has long since become a systemic question. Critics like Littbarski accuse the DFB of having relied too often on short-term solutions in the past instead of creating long-term structures.

The early EM exit is presented as a logical consequence of a lack of vision. The demand for Nagelsmann's resignation is also an appeal to the association to finally take responsibility for the misery. When asked about possible consequences for Nagelsmann, the DFB remains vague for the time being.

Official statements from the association on Littbarski's demand are still pending. However, the debate about the future of the national coach is gaining momentum after other ex-players and experts struck a similar tone. Particularly explosive: The criticism comes not only from outside, but also from the ranks of the DFB itself, where internal voices question the coach's leadership behind closed doors.

But the discussion about Nagelsmann's future also reveals a deep division within German football. While some see the call for a coaching change as overdue, others warn against hasty decisions. The fear of a further loss of control and the loss of the last remaining stability in the association plays a central role.

The criticism of Nagelsmann becomes a proxy war over the future direction of German football. There is also the international dimension: While other top European nations such as France or Spain shine with clear structures and long-term projects, the German national team seems like a ship without a compass. Littbarski's allegations are not just aimed at Nagelsmann, but at a system that has been pretending to be at the top of world football for years without implementing the necessary reforms.

The 2024 European Championship could prove to be a wake-up call that tears German football out of its comfort zone. What's next: The DFB now has to decide whether to stick with Nagelsmann or try a fresh start after the European Championship fiasco. The next few weeks will show whether the association is prepared to take Littbarski's harsh words as a wake-up call - or whether the criticism will come to nothing.

Should Nagelsmann actually leave, this could herald the beginning of fundamental reform – or plunge the association into an even deeper crisis. The decision will not only determine the future of a coach, but also the credibility of German football as a whole. Read at Die Welt Sport