German women's team wants coaching clarity; Popp future still vague

The German women’s national team is calling for a solution on the coaching issue as the future of Martina Voss-Tecklenburg remains uncertain.

Voss-Tecklenburg has a contract until 2025 but is sidelined with an undisclosed illness for an indefinite period, according to the national federation DFB.

Her future is also in doubt because the team suffered a first-ever World Cup group stage exit in August in Australia.

Assistant Britta Carlson has acted as caretaker in their first two Nations League games, which also serve as 2024 Olympics qualifiers – a 2-0 defeat in Denmark on Friday and a 4-0 victory against Iceland on Tuesday.

Carlson has said she is not available as a possible future head coach but former German men’s U21 helmsman Stefan Kuntz is reportedly a candidate should Voss-Tecklenburg not continue.

The team wants the DFB to have a solution in time for the next Nations League games in late October, for which Carlson said she won’t step in again.

“It is time that a decision is made to have clarity. It is not a nice situation for us,” midfielder Lena Lattwein said after Tuesday’s game.

“I don’t know how she [Voss-Tecklenburg] is doing. We have information that she is not feeling well. It can take a little longer until she returns – if she returns. All that comes now is a matter for the DFB.”

Captain Alexandra Popp added: “Of course we need clarity how exactly it will continue. We will seek an exchange with the DFB.”

But the influential Popp has also remained vague about her own future in the team, after saying she considered international retirement after the World Cup fiasco.

Popp said only “I think” she will be available for the October games against Wales and in Iceland.

“We have now won a game but I believe we don’t have enough clarity and assurance in the team yet to say goodbye,” Popp said. “It is open as long as don’t have this assurance on the pitch again.”

Popp added her decision will not depend on the coaching situation because “in the end I don’t care who is there.

“I just want my team to get back its assurance on the pitch. We have to play football in a way are able to play. I just wish for that and then we will see what my decision will be,” Popp said.

However, former Germany player Nia Künzer, who scored the winner in the 2003 World Cup final against Sweden, said that Popp must make a clear statement about her future for the benefit of everyone.

“I would wish that Alex provides more clarity and for instance says: I will continue until the Euros [in 2025]. A clear statement can contribute to peace being restored,” Künzer told dpa.