DFB director fires back after biting critique of Julian Nagelsmann by Uli Hoeneß: ‘Bayern Munich paid €25m for him’

07 November 2025, Hesse, Frankfurt/Main: Julian Nagelsmann (r), national coach, and Andreas Rettig, DFB Managing Director Sport, talk at the German Football Association (DFB) Bundestag on the DFB campus in the plenary hall. Photo: Arne Dedert/dpa (Photo by Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Bayern Munich’s honorary president and supervisory board member Uli Hoeneß has made no secret of his severe disagreements with many of the decisions of Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, publicly calling the former Bayern head coach out for not settling on a consistent starting XI and overrating his importance in relation to the team.

But DFB director Andreas Rettig has hit back against the 74-year-old, not only defending his manager but also throwing a few barbs back at Hoeneß:

“I don’t recall anyone from the DFB asking Mr. Hoeneß to issue an interim report for Mr. Nagelsmann,” Rettig retorted, as captured by @iMiaSanMia. “I also don’t know his motivation and what’s driving him to say that now. Our coach isn’t as bad as some people claim. We always had at least eight, at times up to ten injured players. That could not be blamed on the coach.”

Besides, Germany are not the only fans of Nagelsmann’s work, former or otherwise. “Uli Hoeneß’ Bayern paid €25m for Julian Nagelsmann, and would gladly have brought him back after his dismissal. There must be a reason for that.”