Joachim Löw, has informed Bayern Munich trio Thomas Müller, Jérôme Boateng and Mats Hummels that they are no longer in his future plans in the German national team.
Löw confirmed his decision on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Germany’s first international of the year against Serbia in Wolfsburg on 20 March.
“2019 is a new beginning for the Germany national team,” said Löw. “It was important for me to personally explain my decision to the players and the FC Bayern management.
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“Now it’s time to set the course for the future. We want to give the team a new look. I am convinced that this is the right step. With the the EURO 2020 qualifying campaign about to begin, we wanted to make it clear that this is a new start. The youngsters coming through will have the room they need to grow. Now it’s up to them to take on responsibility,” said Löw.
Reinhard Grindel, president of the German Football Federation, has endorsed the coach’s decision.
“I appreciate that Joachim wants to carry on changing the shape of the national side. Making personnel changes at the start of the qualifying phase for EURO 2020 is the right time,” said Grindel.
Director and national-team coordinator Oliver Bierhoff also supported the move: “We now want to make it clear that this is a new beginning for the squad.”
The current mission is “to decide what’s best for the national team, in order for it to return to the top of the world.”
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Bierhoff also added: “Thomas, Mats and Jérôme achieved so much with Germany and will continue doing so with their clubs. I still feel very connected to them and I am thankful for their work with the national side.”
Müller, Hummels and Boateng were part of the German squad that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Müller has won 100 caps since his debut against Argentina on March 3rd, 2010, scoring 38 goals. Hummels made 70 appearnces after making his debut on May 13th, 2010 and has bagged five goals.
Boateng scored just one goal in his 74 international games, appearing for the first time in a World Cup qualifier on October 10th 2009 in Russia.
