Rudi Völler has announced an official farewell to the four DFB greats Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller and Ilkay Gündogan at one of the two remaining international matches this year. The former DFB team boss himself plans to step down as sporting director at the DFB after the 2026 World Cup.
“For me, of course, it’s over in 2026. I actually wanted to stop now,” said the 64-year-old in an interview with “Bild am Sonntag”. But then, in the run-up to the European Championships at home, the association fought hard for Julian Nagelsmann to be the national coach, explained Völler: “And I had a good feeling that it would work out. By extending my contract, I also wanted to send a signal to Julian.”
Völler took part after the botched 2022 World Cup
Initially, Völler extended his contract as sporting director in April, two months before the home tournament. A short time later, Nagelsmann, now 37, followed suit. Both are bound to the DFB until after the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Völler was installed as sporting director at the association after the botched 2022 World Cup.
Exactly one year ago, he parted ways with Hansi Flick after a 1:4 defeat against Japan, stepped in as interim team manager for an international match against France (2:1) and then lured Nagelsmann to the German Football Association as his “preferred solution”.
“Befitting” farewell for four DFB greats
The last three 2014 World Champions Neuer (38), Müller (34) and Kroos (34) as well as captain Gündogan (33), who also retired after the home European Championship, will be honored with much applause in the stadium for their great careers in the national jersey. “We will bid our players a fitting farewell in the vicinity of one of our next home games and give the whole thing a nice and appropriate setting,” said Völler.
The Nations League match against the Netherlands on October 14th in Munich’s Allianz Arena, which has a capacity of 75,000 spectators, is the ideal stage, especially considering the Bayern pros Neuer and Müller as well as the former Munich player Toni Kroos. The DFB’s plans are pointing in this direction. On November 16th, the national team will also play against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Freiburg.
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