Germany’s early elimination from the European Championship has already attracted considerable criticism for several players. For example, the waving goodbye Toni Kroos had to pay for, among others, Lothar Matthäus and national coach Joachim Löw was not immune from comment. Jupp Heynckes addresses Niklas Sule and has no good words to say about the way the Bayern Munich defender practices his trade. The former coach of the German record champion believes that Sule should take an example from Robert Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich.
Süle is known for having frequented fast food restaurants in the past. Hansi Flick even decided to temporarily put the mandekker out of the selection last autumn when he appeared to be struggling with predominance. Sule was left out of the squad for disciplinary reasons for the league game against Werder Bremen in November. Bayern reported that Sule was not there against Werder Bremen due to ‘a training delay’, but that was according to BILD not the full story. In Flick’s opinion, Sule would not have committed enough to the training and, moreover, did not make a top-fit impression.
The lifestyle of Süle is also not appealing to Heynckes. “Süle is a special case,” Heynckes says in an extensive interview with kicker. “If he would work professionally and adapt his lifestyle to his work, he has the potential to become an international top defender. He can take an example every day at Bayern from Lewandowski or Kimmich. As a national coach you have to go to the clubs and maintain contact with the coaches and players. A national coach must be inspiring for the entire Bundesliga and set an example. I trust Hansi Flick will fill that in properly.”
The former coach looks back extensively at the European Championship with the German newspaper and at the same time highlights the opportunities for Germany during the World Cup in Qatar. “Qatar should be a stopover, that’s all. More importantly, the team is renewed. Therefore, the 2022 selection should not only focus on the World Cup, the renewal process of a young team should be the top priority. Flick can do that. And a World Cup in Qatar is a limit anyway, so it is acceptable if Germany does not finish in the best four countries.”
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Finally, Heynckes criticizes UEFA’s approach to the European Championship. “The eleven host cities meant enormous travel pressure, especially under all corona circumstances,” said Heynckes. “The burden was unevenly distributed. I am very critical of UEFA and individual countries allowing so many spectators in the midst of the pandemic, especially in London and Budapest. More than 60,000 people in a stadium is really unacceptable. UEFA’s greed for money. I also find it incomprehensible that matches are played in countries where human rights are violated.”
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