​Former Germany coach Berti Vogts has called for a redirection of German football’s restructuring after another premature World Cup exit, emphasizing coach education and a clearer pathway for former national team players to move into coaching roles. In his World Cup column for the Rheinische Post published on Monday, Vogts posed a reflective question: where does German football currently stand? He concedes that the sport is still far from world-class, and identifies the quality of coaches as a core issue behind that gap. He suggested that access to coaching positions should perhaps be made more accessible for established former national team players, arguing this could make coaching roles more attractive and help rejuvenate the pipeline of German coaches.
Historically, the German Football Federation (DFB) experimented with a coaching course in the early 2000s that prepared graduates for the national stage, including future national team coach Jürgen Klinsmann. Vogts’s remarks come as Germany bowed out in the last 32 of the World Cup, eliminated by Paraguay after failing to advance beyond the group stage in the preceding editions. The discussion about reform extends to the management of clubs at the highest level as well. Jürgen Klopp is slated to take over from Julian Nagelsmann as head coach, and there have been appeals for former Arsenal academy head Per Mertesacker to assume a role within the DFB as part of the broader overhaul.
Vogts, a World Cup winner as a player in 1974 and a European Championship winner as a coach in 1996, notes that watching Argentina—the current holders—reminds him of the old German teams he admires. He sees a team that embodies perseverance and unity, not just individual brilliance. “When I watch the Argentinians, I almost feel like I’m watching a German side—a former German team,” Vogts commented. He praised their resilience and the way they rallied from a 0–2 deficit against Egypt, calling the comeback impressive. He also highlighted that it is not only Lionel Messi who shines; he believes Argentina functions as a cohesive unit, which he says he admires and respects.
Beyond admiring Argentina’s team spirit, Vogts offered his perspective on the English model under Thomas Tuchel, applauding the boldness shown by the German manager who took on the England national team’s coaching post. He acknowledged the inevitable resistance and sometimes harsh media scrutiny that a German coach must face in England, noting that English outlets are rarely gentle. Nonetheless, Vogts admired Tuchel’s approach, particularly his willingness to identify and address shortcomings while remaining critical in the wake of victories, such as the quarter-final win against Norway. He suggested this combination of candor and accountability is a quality worth emulating in German coaching, underscoring the potential benefits of adopting similar practices within Germany’s own coaching culture.
Vogts’s reflections come amid ongoing debate about how Germany should reform its footballing framework to restore competitiveness on the world stage. His stance emphasizes the importance of elevating coaching standards and creating clear pathways for former players to enter coaching roles, potentially strengthening the national team program from the top down. He argues that a more accessible and esteemed coaching pathway for ex-internationals could inject fresh ideas and experience into German football, aligning with the broader aim of returning Germany to its world-class status. The discussion dovetails with broader questions about leadership, development, and the long-term strategy necessary to sustain success at the highest levels of international football.