KROOS: NATIONAL TEAM RESIGNATIONS OFFER RESTRUCTURING OPPORTUNITY

Toni Kroos has expressed hope that the German national team will remain successful after the retirement of several key players including himself, and urged fans to back it like at Euro 2024.

Kroos ended his career after the Euros where hosts Germany lost in the quarter-finals against eventual champions Spain, and captain Ilkay Gündogan, Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer have retired from the national team.

Coach Julian Nagelsmann must reshape his line-up starting with Nations League matches on September 7 against Hungary and three days later in the Netherlands. The squad gathers on Monday in Frankfurt.

Kroos said at the Icon League indoor event in Cologne on Sunday that the exit of players "who have been around for years and shaped the team" also offers "a certain chance for a restructuring" of the team.

"The national team coach now has to adjust a little bit, with all the resignations and those he sees to take these roles," Kroos said.

Nagelsmann has improved the team again after several poor tournaments, which also reconciled the fans. The team enjoyed huge support at the home Euros and Kroos urged fans to continue this backing.

"I ask everyone for support of the national team. That the people and the country are behind it. It is much easier to play with the backing of the country instead of doubts," he said.

"I think we achieved what was lost before. That we have a team that can thrill."

Nagelsmann said after the Euro exit he will now be aiming for the 2026 World Cup title. That led to some raised eyebrows but 2014 World Cup winner Kroos voiced understanding.

"Of course it is a bit early to say something like that two years in advance. But I understand what he wanted to achieve. He wanted to pass on the recent momentum and show that he is hungry," Kroos said.

2024-09-01T17:23:00Z dg43tfdfdgfd