By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- German national coach Joachim Loew remains under attack after the 2014 world champions' embarrassing group exit at the 2018 World Cup.
While the 58-year-old Loew is said to be on vacation until mid-August, former German team captain Philipp Lahm demanded a radical change of his coaching style, saying "[Loew] has to change his collegial leadership style of recent years if he wants to succeed again with the new generation of internationals."
The 34-year-old former Bayern Munich captain said that Loew lacked clear instructions and failed to implement clear leadership. His statements were published on the social media network LinkedIn under the headline: "When avoiding change prohibits success."
According to Lahm, Loew needs to institute "a culture of clearer decisions" and put an increased emphasis on personal responsibility in the team.
Lahm said he was optimistic about Loew succeeding in the future but only when the German coach changes his leadership patterns.
Lahm said the new generation of German footballers needs a new approach to coaching. "The coaching team relied on the fact that the successful leadership culture of the past is enough to be successful once again," the former right-back said.
The 113-time-capped Lahm said it is the main goal of coaches to motivate and steer their individuals. "If they do not move in the direction the coaches want them to go, they need to be sent a clear message," Lahm added.
According to Lahm, Loew and the German team manager Oliver Bierhoff ignored the fact "that it is nearly impossible to be successful twice in the same way." Football coaches must realize that today's football generation was mainly raised and trained in youth performance centers.
Lahm accused Loew of underestimating the affair surrounding the German internationals Mesut Oezil (Arsenal) and Ilkay Guendogan (Manchester City) sharing a photo with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shortly before the 2018 World Cup.
German-born Oezil and Guendogan both have Turkish roots and were accused of not identifying fully with the German team.
The topic not only kept the German public busy but disturbed the team's harmony. The necessity to explain should have been communicated quickly to Oezil and Guendogan "to improve the harmony portrayed to the outside - and the inside," Lahm emphasized.
Oezil and Guendogan are said to be considering retiring from the German team due to the ongoing criticism.
