Pep Guardiola Blamed for Germany’s Downfall, Says Bastian Schweinsteiger
Since their triumphant World Cup win in 2014, the German national team has experienced a significant decline in performance at major tournaments. Former German international and Manchester United star, Bastian Schweinsteiger, believes that Pep Guardiola, the current manager of Manchester City, is partly to blame for this downfall. Schweinsteiger worked with Guardiola during his time at Bayern Munich, and he believes that the changes inspired by the Spanish manager have had a negative impact on the team.
Germany’s recent performances have been disappointing, with early exits in the group stage of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, as well as a defeat to England in the last-16 of Euro 2020. Schweinsteiger, who played a crucial role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory and earned 121 caps for his country, attributes these struggles to the changes implemented by Guardiola.
During his tenure at Bayern Munich from 2013 to 2015, Guardiola introduced a style of play focused on short passes and possession. According to Schweinsteiger, this shift in playing style caused Germany to lose sight of their traditional values. He believes that other countries used to view Germany as a strong and resilient team, known for their fighting spirit and ability to run until the very end. However, these strengths have been overshadowed by a greater emphasis on playing attractive football and passing the ball between players.
“We forgot about that and were more focused on playing the ball nicely to each other. That’s one of the reasons,” Schweinsteiger explained in an interview with talkSPORT. He suggests that Germany’s identity as a team has been compromised in favor of a more aesthetically pleasing style of play.
Germany’s recent performances have not gone unnoticed by their fans. The team was booed off the pitch after a 2-0 defeat to Colombia last month. During the recent international break, Germany suffered further setbacks, losing to Poland and drawing 3-3 with Ukraine. These results have raised concerns about the team’s ability to compete at the upcoming Euros, which they will be hosting next year.
Guardiola’s time at Bayern Munich was not without success, as he won three consecutive Bundesliga titles and two DFB Pokals. However, he failed to secure the coveted Champions League trophy during his tenure. In 2016, Guardiola moved to Manchester City, where he has since won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and four League Cups, finally adding a Champions League triumph to his list of achievements.
Schweinsteiger’s comments have sparked a debate about the impact of Guardiola’s playing philosophy on the German national team. Some argue that his emphasis on possession-based football has hindered Germany’s ability to adapt to different opponents and play a more direct and aggressive style when needed. Others believe that the team’s struggles go beyond Guardiola’s influence and point to issues with player selection, team chemistry, and coaching decisions.
As Germany prepares for the Euros next year, it remains to be seen how they will address these concerns and regain their former glory. The team will need to find a balance between playing attractive football and maintaining their traditional strengths as a resilient and determined side. Whether Guardiola’s influence is ultimately seen as a positive or negative factor in Germany’s recent decline will continue to be a topic of discussion among football fans and experts alike.
In conclusion, Bastian Schweinsteiger’s remarks about Pep Guardiola’s impact on the German national team have shed light on the team’s recent struggles. While Guardiola’s playing philosophy may have contributed to Germany’s decline, it is important to consider other factors that may have influenced their performances. As Germany looks ahead to the Euros, they will need to find a way to strike a balance between playing attractive football and maintaining their traditional strengths. Only time will tell if they can reclaim their status as one of the world’s top footballing nations.