Kai Havertz’s New Position Sparks Controversy: Germany’s Struggles Exposed

Kai Havertz’s New Role: A Bold Move or a Mistake for Germany’s National Team?

The former Bayern Munich manager is almost halfway through his preparations for Euro 2024, which Germany will host, despite having only been in the position for three games. However, there is little chance that the three-time European winners will have another unforgettable campaign if they go from Bavaria to Berlin or Dortmund to Dussledorf.

Rather, supporters are hoping Die Mannschaft does not suffer another humiliating early exit, like they did during the World Cup in Qatar last winter. During the team’s September camp, manager Hansi Flick decided to fire him after a string of embarrassing friendly results in 2023, which came after the team crashed out in the group stage at the hands of Spain and Japan.

Six months after losing his own job, Nagelsmann, the man who took over as Bayern’s manager, was unanimously chosen by the German FA (the DFB) to succeed Flick. The 36-year-old had a strong start to the season in October with a 3-1 victory away to the United States, but a gruelling 2-2 draw with Mexico suggested that the same defensive shortcomings persisted. Then Saturday arrived.

Before the ball was even kicked, Nagelsmann made headlines by welcoming the in-form Turkey to Berlin. Although Kai Havertz was listed on the squad sheet, the unexpected twist was that he would be playing left-back, a position that was unfamiliar to the Arsenal midfielder.

Even though Germany’s night didn’t end well—avertz scored the first goal just five minutes—it quickly turned into one they would soon forget. After trailing 2-1 at the break, Niclas Fullkrug’s goal pulled Nagelsmann’s team level, and Havertz then gave away a penalty for handball. It was duly scored, giving Turkey a 3-2 victory and serving as a reminder to Germany’s new manager of the enormity of the task before of him.

Sharp criticism from supporters, commentators, and former players resurfaced, and the country was split on whether to play possession-based football, which is the current fad in the Bundesliga, or the traditional German style. Nagelsmann’s choice to start Havertz at left defence was criticised by legendary player Lothar Matthaus, who called it a “slap in the face” to real defenders.

In his Sky column, Matthaus stated, “I was surprised that David Raum wasn’t in the starting line-up.” “Especially since Benjamin Henrichs played on the other side.”

Sharp criticism from supporters, commentators, and former players resurfaced, and the country was split on whether to play possession-based football, which is the current fad in the Bundesliga, or the traditional German style. Nagelsmann’s choice to start Havertz at left defence was criticized by legendary player Lothar Matthaus, who called it a “slap in the face” to real defenders.

In his Sky column, Matthaus stated, “I was surprised that David Raum wasn’t in the starting line-up.” “Especially since Benjamin Henrichs played on the other side.”

They should be alright, at least with players like Joshua Kimmich and Ilkay Gundogan, who Nagelsmann controversially chose captain rather than Manuel Neuer, the Bayern custodian, who is now recovering from a leg break. Not if you agree with Matthaus’ conclusion.

“I don’t know why they keep trying Kimmich and Gundogan together in central midfield,” he said. “They don’t mesh well together, as we seen in the World Cup last year, despite their extraordinary class. To prevent them from obstructing one another on the pitch, you have to keep them apart.

“I don’t mean to sound harsh; Kimmich and Gundogan were, for the most part, the standout players at Manchester City and Bayern Munich in recent years. They also held leadership positions at those teams. However, the internal relationship breaks out when they play together.”

With the exception of two friendlies in March of next year and at least one warm-up game in June, Nagelsmann’s final scheduled match before the opening match of Euro 2024 is set to take place on Tuesday. But whose sides will the DFB dare to play against Germany?

They have drawn against Mexico and Ukraine but lost to Belgium, Poland, Colombia, Japan, and now Turkey in the previous six months alone. Draw day is slated for Saturday, December 2. Teams in Group A of the European Championships will scent blood, and their opponents will too.

Naturally, Germany’s issues date back a long way from their nightmare in Qatar. Their World Cup defence failed in 2018, as they were the bottom-finishing team in a group that also included South Korea, Mexico, and Sweden. Longtime manager Joachim Low resigned after they lost heartbreakingly to England in the round of 16 of the Covid-delayed Euros three years later.

Germany’s last major crisis occurred in 2004, when the nation entered an economic recession and rioted in the streets when they were eliminated from the summer Euros before even making it to the semifinals. Bigwigs in the DFB, who had relished their 14-year reign as world champions, started ‘Das Reboot’ and devised a scheme to bring Die Mannschaft back to their former glory.

Ralf Rangnick, the now-manager of Austria, was one of the key players behind the winning tactic that saw Germany win the 2014 World Cup after placing third in the two before tournaments under Low. Among the front-runners to replace Flick, the former Manchester United interim manager eventually decided to stay over the border, where he has flourished.

Rangnick will have the opportunity to demonstrate his own country what they’re missing out on when they play Austria on Tuesday. Just as the former United goalie would have, Naglesmann requires time to put his tactical beliefs into practise. In this truncated build-up to a competition that will either define or terminate Germany’s wretched post-2018 existence, he lacks that virtue.