DFB women without head coach: “We want Martina to recover”

AThe last time Britta Carlson had to leave her preferred spot in the team’s second row, the first dark clouds were gathering over the German women’s soccer team in the Australian winter. After a 2-1 defeat in the second group game of the World Cup preliminary round against Colombia, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s assistant commented on the shocking turn of events. Meanwhile, the national coach was pondering tactical decisions. Four days later things got even worse in Brisbane, with a 1-1 draw against South Korea on August 3 sealing their exit from the preliminary round – a historically poor result that is still having an impact.

For Britta Carlson, Tuesday’s appearance at the Frankfurt campus of the German Football Association (DFB) was a necessity: she has risen to the top of the coaching hierarchy, which does not really suit her nature. She was also quick to rule out wanting to keep the job long-term: “I love being an assistant coach.” The 45-year-old prefers to pull the strings, away from the spotlight. But the situation in the team (and around) is more tense than it has been in a long time, which requires concessions: “My concerns don’t matter. This is a fact and we will see what happens.”

“Everything else follows.”

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg sent her second hospital certificate to the association, confirming her incapacity for work. It is unclear when or whether she will be able to return. “Out of respect for the national team coach, we will not participate in speculation,” said the national team’s sports director, Jyoti Hatzialeksiou. The DFB will fulfill its “duty of care”: “We want Martina to recover. Everything else follows.” Her husband, Hermann Tecklenburg, said of his wife that she returned from the disaster with physical and mental damage. The 55-year-old woman herself has not yet commented on this publicly.

On Tuesday, Britta Carlson asked DFB spokeswoman to announce that she would not make any statements about the state of her bosses ahead of the upcoming Nations League games. At the base camp in the Australian countryside, which they both chose and where complaints of isolation began after the team moved in, they lived in an apartment together. The (working) atmosphere between them was also affected by dissonance, as reported by FAZ participants: Disagreements arose when choosing the means of how and with whom the World Cup mission should be addressed.

While Martina Voss-Tecklenburg relied on Alexandra Popp in attack and sought to communicate with her above all other players, Britta Carlson’s request to dare to be more variable was not heard – which created conflict situations. When asked Tuesday, Britta Carlson spoke of a “steady relationship.” If everything is only “harmonious,” “you won’t get anywhere,” but the relationship will never be broken.

Fault analysis is still ongoing. Hatzialeksiou called it unfortunate “because we would like to give up the World Cup backpack.” The situation is “extraordinarily” difficult due to the lack of opportunity to exchange ideas with Martine Voss-Tecklenburg. Following her recovery, the treatment will continue immediately and the public will be informed of the possible consequences, said the 47-year-old, who did not want to confirm that he had applied to the new DFB directorate as director of women’s football.

Explosive inspection

Sky recently reported that Britta Carlson has launched a survey of players to find out how they explain the disastrous outcome of the World Cup; The criticism was particularly loud towards Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, who, among other things, did not clearly explain the humorous plans. Britta Carlson denied the reports and spoke about the “baseless” report that called her “longtime integrity” into question. In fact, according to FAZ, it was Hatzialeksiou who put together the explosive picture that is said to have shocked Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. The national coach then quit the game in despair.

For the DFB, which is now finally coming to terms with the failure of the World Cup in Qatar and its consequences for the men, it is actually better not to waste time on the women: the next tasks are difficult. To take part in the Paris Olympics, a selector must take part in six Nations League international matches.

First this Friday in Vyborg against Denmark (18:00, ARD), and then on Tuesday in Bochum against Iceland (18:15, ZDF). “We want to make up for lost time,” Chacialexiou said, “and create a good starting point for a new tournament.” From both the field and off the field, autumn promises to be a hot one for the women of the German Football Association.