Nearly two weeks after the German national team’s exit from the World Cup, the performance of the squad remains a subject of intense debate. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann, in particular, continues to face significant criticism, including sharp remarks from 1990 world champion Pierre Littbarski.

Speaking on Sport1’s “WM-Doppelpass,” Littbarski expressed his frustration with the former national coach’s leadership. “I didn’t have the feeling that our coach made our key players stronger,” he stated. “Take Kimmich, for example—he was constantly being shifted back and forth. It’s about how I make each individual player stronger. Nagelsmann made every player weaker.”

Littbarski further complained that Nagelsmann failed to provide clear direction. He emphasized that the national team is “not a testing ground, it’s something where you can’t experiment.”

The former champion also took issue with Nagelsmann’s professional approach. “Nagelsmann didn’t watch the Asian Cup, not the Club World Cup, the Africa Cup, South America — nothing,” Littbarski noted. “I can’t become world champion with a work-life balance. The coach has to set the example, and Klopp will set the example!”

Littbarski extended his critique to the players themselves. “Since 2014, it has all gone downhill. We also need individualists, but they also have to know exactly how to make the team better and not just kiss the badge. Some players will be in for a surprise who currently aren’t expecting it.” He called for the inclusion of players with more grit, suggesting that the DFB side needs characters who can play physically to regain the respect of international opponents.

Regarding the current roster, Littbarski argued that players like Angelo Stiller and Pascal Groß do not push the DFB team forward, and added that David Raum’s abilities are limited. “For a few guys, the time is up; some of them simply don’t belong there,” Littbarski concluded.