Veteran football analyst Lothar Matthäus believes a potential return to the national team for goalkeeper Manuel Neuer at the 2026 World Cup remains a distinct possibility. In comments to the German sports publication “Kicker”, Matthäus stated, “The best players should play and Manu has shown at the Club World Cup that he hasn’t lost any of his ability”. He highlighted Neuer, alongside Marc-André ter Stegen, as Germany’s premier goalkeeping options, suggesting that while other keepers are competent, they may not possess the quality necessary to contend for a World Cup title.
Matthäus indicated that, if assuming the role of national team coach, he would also actively consider Bernd Leno, should either Neuer or ter Stegen be unavailable. He praised Leno’s extensive experience in the English Premier League, noting his status as one of the league’s top performers.
Addressing concerns regarding the defensive lineup, Matthäus proposed a potential system change. He suggested a three-man central defense featuring Jonathan Tah, Anton and Schlotterbeck, with Rüdiger on the right; asserting such a formation would create a strong defensive wall and potentially eliminate the need for a holding midfielder. He believes offensively-minded wing-backs would be key to complementing this system.
Concerning midfield strategy, Matthäus indicated alignment with current national team coach Julian Nagelsmann’s approach, specifically regarding the positioning of Joshua Kimmich. “We need the few leaders we have in the center and not out wide” he stated, expressing confidence in Kimmich’s ability to dominate the central midfield and distribute the ball effectively. He welcomed Nagelsmann’s apparent shift in perspective regarding Kimmich’s role, framing it as a sign of adaptability rather than weakness.
