“To Win A World Cup All Players Have To Feel Part Of The Squad”
· Yahoo Sports
How did you come to be in football in the first place?
Well, actually, the reason was mostly my father, and he got me into the game. I started at the age of 10. You know, in those days we didn’t have any E or F youth like they have today, so they start already pretty early, at six or seven years old. It was prohibited then because there were some issues regarding health, and people thought if you start regular football, competitive football, it would be too early, so the age limit was 10. I joined Schalke 04 and played there until the first team, before joining a second-tier side, then Regionalliga Eintracht Gelsenkirchen, 1. FC Mulheim, and 1 FC Bocholt.
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You later joined the Canadian side, Vancouver Whitecaps, in the North American Soccer League (NASL), quite a contrast?
I finished my playing days in North America playing for the Whitecaps with some very interesting encounters. We played against some of the best players at the time, including the New York Cosmos with Franz Beckenbauer, Pele, and Carlos Alberto, or against George Best of the LA Aztecs and Gordon Banks of Fort Lauderdale Strikers. I really cherish those memories in particular.
You played against Pele in your experience. Would you say that Pele was as good as Messi, Neymar, or Ronaldo, or even better?
Wherever you go, you compare people; they are all great representatives of the game, and each of them has special abilities. I would not say that one was better; they are all outstanding. It’s very tough to compare, in particular when you consider they played in different times, and the game was a bit different. The game over the years has changed a lot, in particular when it comes to the defensive setup, the individual class of Pele was probably second to none, though. His individual skill, the way he handled the ball, the way he moved, the quick steps and unpredictable moves, and of course his finish. He had a very powerful shot. Whenever you talk in superlatives, you have to give it to Pele.
Let us come to the World Cup. As a former coach of the Australian national team, have you been following Australia’s progress at the tournament?
As the games are early in the morning, I couldn’t follow all the games, but I am very happy about the performances. We’ll see how it goes in the second round. With their fighting spirit, they are so committed that they will give Egypt a hard time, I’m pretty sure.
How important is this World Cup for Australia? Do you think that it can reignite interest in the A League?
The enthusiasm is there. The Australian public has a very positive attitude towards the game, which should definitely help the men’s side as well. When women, maybe they even get a little bit more success, that should reflect on the entire football scene in Australia. Whether it will become the major sport, I’m not really sure because the traditional sports, like Aussie Rules, Cricket or Rugby are the dominant sports. The numbers playing Soccer, as they call it, have increased, of course, though. I love the Australian people, it was quite an experience, and I’m happy the game is doing well there.
You led Urawa Red Diamonds to the 2007 AFC Asian Champions League win, some achievement?
I had two spells in Japan, the first was 95/96, shortly after the J League had been installed, although they were very friendly and tried to be accommodating, you could see there was a little bit of, let’s call it, respect, let’s say an adjustment to the game was needed. You let players know what they were doing wrong, and you had to be very cautious so you did not insult them. So I was definitely dependent on my interpreter, as you can imagine, perhaps? The second era was in 2007, and at that time, football in Japan had matured a lot, players became a lot more self-confident, and a lot of them spoke English, so communication had become a lot easier. After the World Cup in 2002, the entire situation in Japan had changed, and it had become more and more professional.
In the World Cup, Japan put on really brave performances. How was coaching in Japan?
Well, they regularly play against Western and Eastern Asian countries, like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, South Korea and China; the playing conditions are pretty tough to qualify. You have decent players but not the best in the region. When I see how many Japanese players are now settled in the Bundesliga and have performed well in other countries in Europe, even England or France, players like Daiichi Kamada, Hiroki Ito or Ritsu Doan, it has been really fantastic to see how well they adapt now. The game there has grown enormously, and it has benefited the national team, of course.
Let’s come to the German national team, winning the 1990 World Cup was of course a highlight, how did it come about that you ended up working with Franz Beckenbauer?
I was then with Canada as assistant manager, and I was asked by Horst Koppel whether I would consider joining the national team set-up. I had played with Horst in Vancouver, and my reply was simply: “What are you talking about? Of course I want to, who wouldn’t? The collaboration between us was great. We had great teamwork off the pitch, a friendship even, which continued well after. Franz and I got on well on and off the pitch. He was a really approachable guy, and he had the respect of all the players. No one ever dared to question Franz however. He was more than just a former player; he was a huge personality. I got so much from working with Franz, and I am grateful it happened. Winning the cup was of course the absolute highlight of my career.
A special highlight at Italia 1990 of course, for England fans was the semifinal against Germany. Were you concerned then that England was good enough to win the cup?
Absolutely, a fantastic team with a lot of outstanding players. Looking back at the semifinal, it could have gone either way. We were a little bit more determined in the penalties; they missed two shots, Pierce and Waddle, but that’s the irony of the game. A couple of weeks later, when I went to Olympique Marseilles, Chris Waddle became our star player, a great player and person, but of course, there was a lot of teasing after all that.
It’s disappointing to see Germany, since 2014, not returning to real dominance; it’s not just at the senior level but also at the junior levels. What is going on?
Well when we look back at the 7-1 against Brazil it was like a fairy tale, I am not an insider anymore, and I am reluctant to comment, but my view is that following those tournaments in Russia and Qatar is that the standing of the national team in Germany with the public has suffered a lot, they have lost a lot of credit with the fans which undermines the confidence also. If you don’t also get the right group together and a real nucleus is formed that works well, then the atmosphere is not good. That has to come together. The team has to win the public back, which is essential to return to success for Julian Nagelsmann. A good team needs however, also a strong hierarchy and leadership that is key.
Hans-Peter Briegel, Andreas Brehme, Jürgen Kohler, Lothar Matthäus, or Klaus Augenthaler were ruthless, totally committed and uncompromising. Why does Germany not produce these players anymore?
Those were very committed and tough players, and they knew their position. Today, every player wants to get involved in the attack; they all want to play out, even the less talented players, even the keeper at times. It makes me sick at times when I see it, and they are under pressure, they need to focus on their area only. I may be missing something, but I think it’s good to play attractive football, but you have to do your task and stay focused, not chase the ball. Just to play out is not what it’s about. You cannot copy the style of Pep Guardiola, or Spain or Brazil. Germany has to play its way, not aim to copy others, they can and must develop their own strategy.
Are there issues with how players have been trained in the past generation in Germany?
You have to be in the place where you are needed. Those in charge of development may need to rethink this. They need to focus on the main characteristics of the positions the players play. You can innovate, but you need to do it based on fulfilling your job on the pitch; you can only have the freedom of expression once you have got your job done. You need a team of specialists who get their job done. No more, no less. If the player is not doing his job, you have an issue.
Players like Kalle Rummenigge, Philip Lahm, Miro Klose or coaches like Herman Gerland were famed for being humble and down-to-earth people. Is it possible that the money in the game has also affected players’ attitudes?
Well, they are humble and down-to-earth, that’s for sure, and it does help; there is no doubt about it. That is exactly right, the outlook that is essential to really make it big in the game, in my view. Maybe it is missing at times, yes.
You are famed for saying that keeping the reservists on side and engaged as they are needed throughout the gruelling tournament is crucial for a winning team, how did you manage that along with Franz Beckenbauer?
Looking back at our situation in the World Cup, the harmony within the team was extraordinary, we just had 22, not the 26 players like they have today. Then only five players were allowed to sit on the bench, so six players had to sit in the stands, and that was quite a challenge, because they were all top-class players, and everybody was probably ready to be in the starting lineup. Whenever a player was out because of injury or cards, the others had to be there, and whenever, for example, Kalle Riedle or Knut Reinhardt came on, he was ready. He scored a penalty against England, what else can you ask for? All the players were so positive, there was no envy, that was the secret of our success, the overall team spirit, and the feeling that everybody is important, that is what you need to be successful. That and the sheer quality of the side ultimately, we were also good enough and determined enough to win the trophy. If you don’t have that combination, there is no way to win a World Cup.
Would you say that the German team has been overestimating their ability? Relying too much on the past?
If you take a look at the squad, the number one with Manuel Neuer or Oliver Baumann is ok, we have had some problems in defence there is no stability, too many changes and not enough consistency, in midfield there are too many players to pick from, some of them are too similar, when it comes to the forwards we have not had consistent strikers in recent years, on the flanks you have players who can score goals but when the wide players just dribble themselves into the congested areas, little can happen. The coach has to find a better mix and system that works. In 1990, we had a core of players who were the main nucleus of the team, and that is what is lacking: a consistent and accountable line-up. Players cannot afford to be offended if they are dropped.
There appears to be a lack of transparency, and the DFB have not always been popular among fans in Germany. Some research done in 24/25 resulted in a 15% popularity rating among questioned fans. Are they doing enough for small clubs in the pyramid? Do you think it’s time for a new plan?
I think the coach knows what he is doing, and he has been very successful in club football. He knows the game well. The issue with the DFB is that some of them are politicians; in my view, they frankly hardly know the game well. Rudi Völler is the right man, but they also need the right people at a more basic level in the youth set-up, maybe that is the issue?
Is this a weaker generation of German players?
Well when I think back at players like Matthias Sammer, or Pierre Littbarski, or Thomas Häßler we have had outstanding players in the past for sure but Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka or Florian Wirtz are all very good club players there is no doubt about that, but I don’t know how far they can fit together, the individual quality is given but it’s not enough they have to fit together as a team.
You were being considered for the head coach position before Jürgen Klinsmann got the job in 2000. What happened?
I had just started my job with FIFA as a technical director in charge of international programs, development coaches, and youth development. I, and then I got the call from from the DFB whether I would be interested, and I wasn’t convinced, because I had committed to FIFA, and I didn’t really feel like quitting, and moving back to Germany, although it would have been a wonderful challenge, and in particular I knew Jürgen from his playing days, I mean the way it turned out was also not bad, he led the side to third place at the home trophy in 2006.
England made it to the final of the last two European Championships and the semifinal of the World Cup in 2018, and has also won titles at U21 level in 23 and 25, and the European Championship in the women’s game in 2022 and 25 and World Cup finalists in 2023. Are they far ahead of other countries?
They have been producing very good players, and are doing well; their structures in coaching, nutrition and analysis are also very advanced, but we also have good structures. I am not sure why they are producing better players than Germany at this time? Analysing and matching this is the challenge.
Can England win the World Cup?
They are a strong unit, and they produce excellent young players at this time. I mean, England always had such a great tradition, they have always had outstanding individual players, and they have them in the current squad, they are very competitive, why shouldn’t they win it?
Finally, do you feel that Julian Nagelsmann can take the DFB project forward?
Right now there are many people expressing their views, many competent but also many who are not. The fact is that Nagelsmann is in charge; he works together with the players, and it is his privilege and responsibility to name a team and implement a strategy. Not everyone will agree, especially now. The strategy or the line-up will not be to everyone’s taste but it is his job; if, as it did, it backfires, then it will all be on him. That’s just how it works. It is always easy to criticise from the outside, of course.
Holger Osieck, born 31 August 1948, is a former German football manager who most recently managed the Australian national team, which he led to qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Before the Australian role, he most recently managed J League club Urawa Red Diamonds, where he won the 2007 AFC Champions League.
He served for 6 years with the DFB, starting as U17 coach and working his way up to assistant manager when West Germany won the 1990 FIFA World Cup. He also managed Canada for 5 years, eventually winning the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
As coach of Turkish Süper Lig side Kocaelispor, the Duisburg-born coach led the side to win the national cup, the Fortis Cup, in 1997. Osieck also managed Fenerbahçe and VfL Bochum, and was assistant manager to Franz Beckenbauer at Olympique de Marseille.
As a player, he played for Schalke 04, Rot-Weiss Oberhausen and 1 FC Bocholt, before moving to the Vancouver Whitecaps, then of the NASL (North American Soccer League).
In the interview, I spoke to the former midfielder about the direction of the German national team under Julian Nagelsmann, the challenges of reasserting dominance since the World Cup win of 2014, the current generation of Germany players, character issues, the need to improve the standing of the Germany team, the competitiveness of the Bundesliga in the international context, in particular with reference to the Premier League, and the trajectory of the English game currently and a look at the prospects for the Australia and the Japanese teams.