Former Germany defender Hans Peter Briegel believes the nation’s sudden decline has been a result of Pep Guardiola’s possession-based philosophy.
Germany suffered relegation in the inaugural UEFA Nations League, finishing bottom of Group A1 and they are currently winless heading into their final match on Monday night against the Netherlands.
This comes after Joachim Low’s side crashed out of the World Cup in the group stages, once more finishing bottom of their group after defeats against Mexico and South Korea.
Meanwhile, Guardiola is considered one of the greatest managers to ever grace the game, revolutionising tactics whilst winning a plethora of titles across the continent, including three Bundesliga titles during his tenure with Bayern Munich.
However, Briegel, winner of the European Championship in 1980 with West Germany, remains adamant that Guardiola’s tactics have hindered the progress of Die Mannschaft.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know ahead of Germany’s Nations League game against the Netherlands
“It is his (Guardiola’s) fault, he cheated us by saying it was sufficient to win by having 75 per cent of possession,” Briegel told Repubblica (via the Metro).
“It isn’t the case, in football the result is far more important than controlling the play.
“To have the ball is not sufficient in order to win, France gave a clear indication of that by winning the World Cup.
“You can even win by returning to a more traditional style of play, what is important is not the quality of the football but having equilibrium.”
Relegation for Germany now means they will ply their trade in League B for the next instalment of the UEFA Nations League, while Ronald Koeman’s side would secure qualification to the finals should they beat the 2014 world champions.
Since the World Cup, Germany have won just twice in five international matches, beating Peru and Russia in friendlies during the previous two international breaks, while suffering two defeats in the Nations League and one draw.
That draw came immediately after France clinched the World Cup, a 0-0 stalemate in the opening Group A1 match in September, while a 2-1 defeat soon followed against Les Bleus before a 3-0 loss to the Netherlands.
The post Germany’s decline is Pep Guardiola’s fault, says Euros winner Hans Peter Briegel appeared first on Squawka News.
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