Germany’s head coach Joachim Loew talks to media
as he arrives at Frankfurt international airport on June
28, 2018, after flying back from Moscow following the
German national football team’s defeat in the Russia
2018 football World Cup.
Germany’s embattled national team braced for a cold
homecoming on June 28, 2018 after a shock World Cup
exit that has plunged the football-mad nation into
mourning and leaves the future of coach Joachim Loew
in the balance. / AFP PHOTO
Germany’s chastened national team arrived home Thursday
after their shock World Cup exit plunged the football-mad nation
into mourning and left the future of coach Joachim Loew in the
balance.
The four-time champions landed at Frankfurt airport shortly
after 3pm (1300 GMT), a day after their humiliating 2-0 defeat
against South Korea at Russia’s Kazan Arena sent them
packing in the first round.
In a mea culpa on their official Twitter account, the German
Mannschaft apologised to a country in agony.
“Dear fans, we’re just as disappointed as you,” the tweet read.
“We’re sorry we didn’t play like world champions. That’s why
we deserved to be eliminated, as bitter as it is.”
Defender Mats Hummels had earlier also tweeted out his regrets
with a succinct “sorry…” and a crying-face emoji.
German media have given a damaging verdict of the
titleholders’ World Cup campaign, which will be remembered as
the first time since 1938 that the country has failed to make it
past the first round.
“No words!” chided the best-selling Bild daily, over a picture of
a despondent-looking Toni Kroos.
The headline mirrors the one used four years ago after
Germany’s stunning 7-1 victory over Brazil at the last World
Cup — but this time the nation has been left speechless out of
sheer disbelief.
Anger was mounting too after a weak performance in Russia
that has left commentators calling for radical changes in
German football.
“Our elimination is fully deserved,” Bild wrote, lamenting the
“shame” of the defending champions getting knocked out after
just 10 days, “reduced to ashes and rubble”.
Other newspapers, like the Rheinische Post and Berlin’s
Tagesspiegel, simply went with the headline “Out”, while the
Stuttgarter Zeitung spoke of a “historic debacle”.
– Off-pitch drama –
Bild said head coach Loew’s fate would be decided “in the
coming days” following talks with the German football
federation (DFB).
After 12 years in charge, Loew is now under fire for placing too
much faith in former stars past their prime.
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung said only Loew’s departure
could give Germany the “new start” it needed.
“That the party ended before it really began is bearable — but
only if German football strategists recognise the sign of the
times and act accordingly,” the conservative daily wrote.
Sports website Kicker spoke of a “collective failure”.
“There was no real team in Russia,” it wrote, noting Germany’s
earlier lacklustre performances against Mexico and Sweden in
Group F.
Alongside criticism of missed chances and the woeful
performances of some veteran players, recent off-pitch drama
added to a picture of a team in disarray.
Ilkay Gundogan and Mesut Ozil, both of Turkish origin, sparked a
storm of controversy when they posed for pictures with Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in London last month,
prompting angry fans to question their loyalty to the national
team.
German-born Ozil in particular came in for sharp criticism after
an underwhelming turn.
The far-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD)
party was quick to blame the Arsenal midfielder for the nation’s
heartache.
“Without Ozil, we would have won!” tweeted AfD lawmaker Jens
Maier.
Despite the premature end of the Mannschaft’s campaign, main
sponsor Adidas said it still expects to sell around eight million
football jerseys this year — more than during the 2014 World
Cup in Brazil.
The German shirts may yet be snapped up by bargain-hunters,
with stores promptly hawking them on steep discount after
Wednesday’s defeat.
Major German shopping centre chain Kaufhof offered a 40-
percent price cut on World Cup merchandise in a promotion
called “Too bad, Germany”.
