Reports suggest that players and team officials were unhappy with the “holiday feeling” surrounding Germany in the World Cup. The Germans ended their tournament run prematurely. Four points after three games sent the 2014 World Cup winners packing ahead of the knockout round.
Bild claims that DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke had a meeting with coach Hansi Flick about the team’s stay in Qatar. The summit, which reportedly lasted just a few hours, focused mainly on the isolated resort where Germany stayed.
WAGs blame Germany for World Cup failure
Some raised concerns at the meeting that significant others were staying at the resort. Following the team’s 1-1 draw against Spain on matchday two of the World Cup, the wives and girlfriends, or WAGs, were invited to spend two nights in Germany. This apparently caused friction with certain players and team officials.
During the stay, team members reportedly objected to players taking care of their children while their loved ones lounged by the pool.
Another issue raised at the meeting was the complex itself. The German team stayed at the Zulal Wellness Resort in Qatar. The five-star resort is located in the far north of the country and lies on the Arabian Gulf.
Resort almost 70 miles from Doha
While the accommodation was undoubtedly fantastic, it is also one of the most remote tourist centers in Doha. Stadiums for the 2022 World Cup were in and around the capital city. Zulal Wellness Resort is about a 75-minute drive from downtown Doha.
The distance between the resort and the city also caused problems early in the tournament. FIFA has launched an investigation into why Flick showed up to a press conference without a player. The sport’s governing body typically has players accompany their coach to the press conference.
Flick defended the move, saying that he did not want to subject his players to the three-hour round trip.
The German FA revealed on Wednesday that Flick will remain the team’s head coach. The technical director of the German soccer federation, Oliver Bierhoff, previously resigned after the lackluster performance of the team in the tournament.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Moritz Müller
World Cup 2022 Guide
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