Soccer Coach Funkel Warns Against Overloading Players
Veteran Bundesliga coach, Friedhelm Funkel, shares his concerns about the German national soccer team ahead of next year's European Championship. In an interview, he expressed his disapproval of the current situation, saying, "I have the feeling that the players are being overwhelmed." The 70-year-old coach, who hails from North Rhine-Westphalia, is known for his record-breaking promotions and is still not ready to retire from coaching.
The criticisms come as a response to the new approach introduced by national team coach Julian Nagelsmann, who initially seemed promising when he expressed his intention to make everything easier for the team. However, Funkel now doubts the effectiveness of this approach, stating, "We have players who have been excellently trained, but you can't overload them."
Funkel's concerns are centered on the idea of Kai Havertz playing on the left defensive side, which he believes may overwhelm the talented player. He advocates for a more hands-off approach, allowing the players to take responsibility for their decisions on the field, saying, "The players have to take matters into their own hands."
Furthermore, Funkel believes that the team needs to focus on its German virtues and demand these qualities from the players. In the past, displaying fight, passion, and soccer skills automatically followed. Funkel proposes a shift in the team's style of play, suggesting a more compact approach to overcome the problems he has identified.
Despite his criticism, Funkel has not ruled out the possibility of coaching again in the future, potentially in Germany. The coach celebrated his birthday with family and friends on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura.
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Enrichment Data:
- Friedhelm Funkel's suggestions for improving Germany's national soccer team's performance and reducing player overload include focusing on German virtues, demanding these qualities from players, and implementing a more compact style of play.
- Funkel's concerns about the current situation of the German national soccer team revolve around the idea of Kai Havertz playing on the left defensive side, which he believes may be too much pressure and responsibility for him to handle.
- Friedhelm Funkel is a veteran Bundesliga coach with a record of successful promotions and a long-term interest in coaching despite his age.
- Julian Nagelsmann's approach to making things easier for the German national soccer team has not been fully executed with success, according to Funkel.
- In the past, players' fight, passion, and soccer skills in Germany used to be automatic, according to Funkel. However, it seems that this is no longer the case, and a more proactive approach is needed.
