Uli Hoeneß has launched a direct criticism of Julian Nagelsmann, demanding that Joshua Kimmich be deployed in central midfield for Germany's World Cup campaign rather than at right-back. The Bayern Munich honorary president told Der Spiegel that Kimmich's leadership qualities are wasted in a defensive role, insisting the national team requires him anchoring the midfield alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic.
"I need Joshua Kimmich in midfield. Under no circumstances should he play at right-back; he can't be a leader there," the 74-year-old stated. At club level, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany already utilizes Kimmich as a holding midfielder, whereas Nagelsmann continues deploying him as a full-back with an eye on the upcoming tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Bayern Block Strategy and Squad Concerns
Hoeneß believes Germany's midfield would benefit from a "Bayern block," creating a solid foundation built on familiarity and understanding between club teammates. The positioning debate has persisted for months, though Kimmich himself has previously acknowledged his versatility, stating the manager can rotate him between both roles depending on tactical needs.
Beyond the Kimmich issue, Hoeneß expressed broader reservations about Nagelsmann's World Cup squad composition. He described the selection as "good, but not world-class," arguing that players should have shared several matches together to develop cohesion before the tournament begins. "The squad should have played three, four, or five matches together to gel as a unit," he emphasized, framing his remarks as objective technical criticism rather than personal attack.
Neuer's Return and Baumann's Displacement
The Bayern legend also criticized the treatment of Oliver Baumann, who was demoted to second-choice goalkeeper despite starting every World Cup qualifier. Manuel Neuer, aged 40, initially retired after Euro 2024 but has since agreed to return, displacing Baumann after he was promised the number one role. "That wasn't right, it wasn't fair," Hoeneß declared, expressing sympathy for the Hoffenheim keeper despite privately maintaining that Neuer remains the world's best goalkeeper.
Germany faces Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in the group stage, kicking off on 11 June. Hoeneß's intervention signals growing tensions within the DFB over squad preparation and positional strategy ahead of football's biggest tournament.
