decision made
“Will always be available”: Thomas Müller wants to continue playing for the DFB-Elf
Thomas Müller wants to turn the frustration about the World Cup into energy
© Ina Fassbender / AFP
After the World Cup, Thomas Müller thought aloud about the end of his national team career. Now he has made a decision – but it also depends on the national coach.
Former world champion Thomas Müller wants to help shape the restart of the German national team after the World Cup disappointment. “As long as I’m a professional footballer, I’ll always be available in the national team if I’m needed,” said the 33-year-old on Monday at FC Bayern Munich’s training camp in Qatar. “The when, the if and the how – that must of course be decided by the national coach.” But he didn’t want to stop “artificially” in the national team.
After the World Cup debacle in Qatar, national coach Hansi Flick’s DFB team will start preparing for the 2024 European Championships at home in March. “You will see what happens before the European Championships at home,” said Müller, whose contract at FC Bayern until June 30, 2024. The attacker did not formulate the tournament in two years as a specific goal, but as a possible goal: “Why not?” The European Championships in his own country, as well as the occupation of the national coaching position, played no role for him.
Turn World Cup frustration into energy
Five and a half weeks after the bitter end of the World Cup, the 121-time national player Müller is preparing for further tasks with the German record champions in Qatar. “You have to deal with it and the most important thing is that you convert this frustration and pain into energy,” said the Munich vice-captain. A change of scenery would do you good.
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Venues and opponents for the first international matches of the year between March 22nd and 28th have not yet been decided. “The euphoria itself comes from good performance and above all from good results. In the end you have to win, you have to be successful in order to take people with you,” said Müller. He wants to wait “very relaxed” if and when the coach needs him.
Flick builds on Thomas Müller
In March 2019, the then national coach Joachim Löw temporarily stopped Müller’s DFB career in a three-pack with Mats Hummels and Jérôme Boateng. But after a forced break of almost two years, he brought him back for the EM 2021. His successor Flick relied on Müller without compromise, despite moderate performances in all three games in Qatar
“Basically, regardless of personal details, we have to manage as a common football nation to play successful German men’s football again,” said Müller, world champion of 2014. “The women did a lot better in the summer.” The women’s team only had to admit defeat in the final of European champions England.
