German football legends call for sweeping changes to national team squad

A chorus of retired German football stars is demanding a radical restructuring of the national team, with calls for experienced players to be moved aside. Lothar Matthäus, Mario Basler, and Dietmar Hamann are among those who have spoken out, advocating for a significant overhaul to inject new life into the squad.

The sentiment, as reported by Yahoo Sports, centers on a perceived need to break from the current crop of established internationals. Hamann and Basler specifically highlighted a desire to 'cut ties' with certain senior figures, suggesting that players like Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, and Leroy Sané are within the scope of their criticism, though the full list of individuals targeted by Matthäus was not detailed.

This outspoken criticism from former champions underscores a growing dissatisfaction with the team's recent performances and a belief that a new generation of talent needs to be given opportunities to revitalise German football.