Matthias Sammer has criticized former DFB team manager Oliver Bierhoff, arguing that the German team's implementation of a flat hierarchy was a major reason for its current problems.

Bierhoff previously stated in an interview with Kicker that the German team currently lacks experienced core players and "iconic figures with outstanding individual abilities."

Sammer responded on Sky Sports: "Not long ago, he also said we needed a flat hierarchy in Germany."

Sammer has long advocated for teams to have "leaders, team players, and players with excellent individual abilities." He stated: "If you want to treat everyone equally in the dressing room and on the pitch, you can't complain today or say that we lack strong personalities."

Sammer believes that Bierhoff, who was in charge from 2004 to 2022, bears "some responsibility" for this. Sammer said: "I joined the DFB in 2006, and in 2007 I asked myself: something is not right here. That's all—neither good nor bad. Then people asked me why. I said, we are all the same. They are all friendly and amiable, which is certainly good, but this is not an equestrian center. This is high-level competition, and sometimes you have to be tough. Sometimes there has to be intensity in training, and it's the same in the dressing room; sometimes you have to shake things up."

The 59-year-old former player stated that promoting a flat hierarchy in high-level competition and within a team is "one of the biggest mistakes," and "it's a disaster."

Klopp excels at bringing people together and has already impressed the new German national team players. Philipp Treu spoke about the new coach at the DFB training camp in Herzogenaurach, saying: "With him, you feel like you're willing to go through fire for him." The Freiburg player stated that Klopp "is a great person."

Klopp has also given many players their first call-ups. In addition to Treu, Serge Gnabry, Yannick Engelhardt, Jonathan Tah, Benjamin Henrichs, and Younes Amoiri are also preparing at the Adidas partner base for Thursday's Nations League opener against the Netherlands.

What does Klopp expect from these players? Amoiri said before Tuesday afternoon's training: "When playing for the German national team, you must play with pride, and even if things don't go well, you must give it your all and fight with all your might."

The Frankfurt player could have also chosen the Moroccan national team, but he said: "When Klopp calls, you have to go. He is one of the best coaches in the world, and you can already feel the positive energy."

Jonathan Tah from Freiburg shares the same view. The centre-back stated that Klopp brings "a very strong personal charisma": "Everyone respects him, of course, but in communication, he is very friendly, very kind, and very good at motivating you to follow him." In his first few days with the German team, Tah wanted to "absorb everything. That's just how I want it."

The same goes for his Freiburg teammate Treu. Treu is competing for the vacant right-back position and stated: "I want to show what I can do." Treu sees Philipp Lahm as a role model and assured: "You can always rely on me." If he gets a chance to play, he hopes to "leave his heart on the field and always give his all."

Sammer has high hopes for Klopp as the German national team coach. Sammer stated on the Sky Sports program "Sammer in conversation with Basler and De Hagdoorn": "I see a clear plan in him. Of course, the outside world can discuss his organizational methods, but there is a plan behind it." His greatest hope is that "this team can bring back an identity, which we desperately need."

Klopp replaced Julian Nagelsmann after Germany's disastrous World Cup campaign. On Tuesday, he led his first joint training session in Herzogenaurach. Klopp will make his debut as Germany coach on September 25 at 2:45 AM CEST in Amsterdam against the Netherlands.

Sammer warned against having too high expectations for the person seen as German football's savior: "He cannot work miracles; the key is to combine his character and coaching experience to make everyone understand that this may take time." Sammer said: "He now carries an enthusiasm that will affect the public and the team. But enthusiasm alone cannot sustain everything forever."

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