BBC World Service Podcast Interview, 28.09.2018

Taken at the FIFA 'The Best' Awards, 24 September 2018

Interviewer: Joachim Löw, the coach of Germany, thanks for stopping. We are two months on from the World Cup. When you lost to South Korea in Kazan, I was there in the stadium, what were the feelings that you had, because, going out in the Group stages, is what happens to other teams, not Germany.

Joachim Löw: Yeah, we were disappointed too much, of course.

Was there shock?

Yeah, a little bit in the first moment, there was a shock, but, yeah, we had not the performance during the three matches we had and, yeah, so that's football and, yeah, we have to learn from that. We have to accept and then going on.

On Sunday you said that some of your players lacked hunger and passion when it came to the World Cup. Does that mean that you pick new players or can you re-motivate them again.

We are re-motivating, of course. We spoke about that in September when we met each other and, yeah, we were four years at the top level. 2014 we won the World Cup, 2017 the Confederations Cup and so if you want to win the World Cup again everything has to be perfect and for this time we missed a little bit our emotions a little bit, the fire some players they had not there their top level. Okay, we have to accept our result in summer but we are looking forward for the next months because we know we have a good team, motivated players and we will come back again.

It's a big challenge for you, isn't it?

Ja, it's a challenge. It's always a challenge in Germany when you go to a tournament, everybody expected that you win this tournament, but we had very very good way the last ten years, twelve years, and so for this time it was bad, but we are sure for the future we will be better.

A lot of observers said afterwards that Leroy Sane's pace might have helped the team, do you regret not picking him for the World Cup?

It was a decision at that time but of course I know that Sane he has a very good future. He has a very good speed, but he has also to grow and he was last year very good but I took another decision in the summer, but now he came back again with a lot of motivation and I hope that we will perform the next months and the next years for Germany. He is 21, 22 and you see also Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, the best time they had 26, 27, 28, 29, so we will see. But he has a very good quality.

Just before the World Cup you signed a new contract to take you through to the 2022 World Cup, but have you ever had any thoughts of resigning after what happened in Russia?

Not, because Oliver Bierhoff and me, we met immediately after the World Cup, for this time we were for fourteen years responsible for the team and for the organisation in this federation and we felt in the summer after the World Cup a lot of motivation, a lot of power, a lot of strength to continue our work and then we will see what happens the next three years. I have contract here too and we have enough motivation to continue.

Thank you for your honesty at this time. Thank you.

Originally on BBC World Service website. Uploaded here to prevent loss if removed from that website and to provide ability for translation.

Löw: "We have hit our targets", 10.09.2018

After last Thursday’s 0-0 draw with world champions France and a 2-1 friendly victory against Peru last night, Germany head coach Joachim Löw reflects on the challenges of achieving the right balance in the team, the tasks lying ahead in the UEFA Nations League and various positions in the team. DFB.de: How would you assess the Peru friendly? Joachim Löw: It was a very good match for us against technically and physically strong opponents. We used a very fluid passing game in the first half with good combination play and this led to three or four very good chances. The substitutions in the second half caused us to slow down a little and we became a bit static. However, the team continued to be positive and fought until the end to get the win. The winner was a little lucky but it was deserved. DFB.de: Has the international break played out how you wanted it to? Löw: The emphasis has been on good organisation and finding the right balance in the team. We encountered some problems when Peru hit us on the counter attack but overall, the players have worked very hard and have been very focused. The team knows that we need to deliver more good performances so that the fans can re-connect themselves with Die Mannschaft after our disappointing summer. This week has shown that we are making progress and we have hit our targets for this international break.

DFB.de: Did the Peru game show that debutant Nico Schulz still needs to mature?

Löw: Yes of course. It isn’t so easy to do this in your first senior game for your country as players are a bit nervous. An international matchday is completely different to a Bundesliga matchday. I’m pleased for Nico to score the winner on his debut. He could have cleared the ball in the build-up to the goal we conceded but I am satisfied with his overall performance and his engagement. He is a very dynamic player. I believe he will be included in our squad for upcoming matches.

DFB.de: For future matches, do you plan to use four centre-backs in a back four, like you did against France, or use full-backs?

Löw: We will have to see. Our two centre-backs, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, will continue to play in the heart of defence in our important matches as they provide us with a lot of experience and incredible ball-winning ability. On the flanks, we will vary who plays but that will depend on the opposition. Matthias Ginter, Nico Schulz, Jonas Hector, Marcel Halstenburg and possibly also Phillip Max (FC Augsburg) could all feature, the latter played very well last season.

DFB.de: Has Ilkay Gündogan brought his previous form back to the squad?

Löw: Yes, I have been satisfied with Ilkay in training this week as we saw the Ilkay we have been used to seeing from previous seasons. In the first half, he made a couple of very good passes made some good forward runs. In the second half, there wasn’t as much room for him to operate in. He has made some good progress this week.

DFB.de: Marco Reus as a central striker – a long term solution for you?

Löw: I know that he prefers to play on the left flank. Just like Timo Werner, he is very good on the wing but also good as a support player who holds the ball up well to bring the wider players into the action. Nils Petersen also impressed me, he was immediately in the game after he came on and was a constant presence down the middle. I think he can make progress into the national team.

DFB.de: Die Mannschaft continue their UEFA Nations League campaign in October – will you continue to use Joshua Kimmich as a defensive midfielder and play a 4-3-3 formation?

Löw: I think the Nations League is really good because it is a competition with very high quality. Our opponents, France and the Netherlands, both play good football and it is important that the team continues to perform regarding our tactics and mindset. Kimmich will likely play as a defensive midfielder again in our next matches as I am very satisfied with his performances in this role and the way he takes on everything the role has to offer him.

10 September 2018
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Joachim Löw "Not everything is forgotten in one game", 07.09.2018

Yesterday saw Germany’s first game after the World Cup exit where they played France in the Nations League. The German national team put on a good display as they drew 0-0 with the World Champions in Munich. Joachim Löw spoke to DFB.de about the match, the fans in attendance at the Allianz-Arena and the next international game on Sunday (20:45 CEST) in Sinsheim against Peru.

Interviewer: Joachim, how happy were you with the first match after the World Cup exit?

Löw: This game came after a disappointing World Cup performance, which showed us that we needed a new outlook, a new attitude and a new approach. So that’s what we did. We were very well organized, and we were never caught on the break by France. Every individual player played to their absolute limit and took on the opposition well in 50-50s. We showed great character and had some great chances in the second-half. The attitude, the energy and willingness were very present. I was absolutely delighted.

Interviewer: How did you like Joshua Kimmich in the Number 6 role?

Löw: After the World Cup I felt that I needed to make some tactical changes. Jo Kimmich played in that position a lot when he was younger. We tested it in training and he did very well. He was very present on the pitch, strong in challenges and really good on the ball. He had a great performance and that is definitely a good solution for us.

Interviewer: As in the 2014 World Cup, you had four central defenders in the back four. Was that because of the opposition or is that a permanent idea?

Löw: It was the right thing to do against an opponent like France – to play with a strong back four. That is not a permanent solution – there are teams that play almost wholly at the back – but this was just for today’s opposition.

Interviewer: How many of your ideas did we see against France? Will you be making your team more flexible?

Löw: Flexibility is very important. We had a lot of possession since France didn’t attack as high as at the World Cup. They didn’t allow themselves to be lured forward. We have to find the right mix, where we don’t allow ourselves to be too bare and open to the counter attack. That’s what we did. It was important to find stability in the defence, reduce the passing options and stay compact, and make sure we keep that up for future games. As for going forward, dominance will be an issue against opposition that aren’t as competitive or classy as France.

Interviewer: How did you find the atmosphere in Munich?

Löw: The crowd was very good. Despite this recent World Cup the fans supported us and were celebrating, which is great to see. However, like I said before, we don’t now think, that everything is forgotten after one game. We must continue putting in good performances.

Interviwer: You used newcomers, Thilo Hehrer, Nico Schulz and Kai Havertz against France. Why was that?

Löw: We must find a middle ground. Of course we need to integrate young players, we have to keep making sure that that happens. However it’s a process that doesn’t just happen overnight. You could see that in games against such strong opposition, players such as Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Toni Kroos were extremely important due to their class, experience and quality. There will be several opportunities for the young players.

Interviewer: And then you’re off to Sinsheim on Sunday to face Peru?

Löw: It is very likely that one or two youngsters will get the opportunity to start that game.

Interviewer: You’ve gained a lot of critics recently. How are you feeling? Relieved?

Löw: I am very happy with the performance. I expected to see this willingness on the pitch and that we’d give our all in the game. Regardless of the outcome, we wanted to show a different attitude, a new outlook and regain some belief. I can be very happy with this performance.

7 September 2018
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Mimik-Experte analysiert Löw-Abrechnung, 01.09.2018

Was für eine Chance – und was für eine Gefahr!

Dass ausgerechnet Weltmeister Frankreich am Donnerstag (20.45 Uhr, ZDF) der erste deutsche Gegner nach dem historischen WM-Crash ist, ist brillant und beängstigend zugleich. Die Chance: Bundestrainer Löw und seine Russland-Touristen können gleich beweisen, dass sie etwas gelernt haben aus dem katastrophalen Scheitern. Man stelle sich vor, jetzt würde Laufkundschaft aus dem Niemandsland der Weltrangliste kommen – ein Muster ohne Wert.

Die Gefahr: Eine deftige Niederlage im ersten Spiel der „Nations League“ würde beweisen, dass die Probleme doch tiefer liegen als in Löws Analyse angedeutet. Die blieb am Mittwoch reichlich vage – ebenso wie die skizzierten Lösungen: Die eigene Spielweise müsse adaptiert werden, dozierte Löw, zudem müssen „Feuer und Leidenschaft“ im Nationalteam neu entfacht werden.

Aha!

Andererseits: Was soll er machen? Bis auf Leroy Sané waren in Russland nun einmal die besten deutschen Spieler dabei. Und das Ausscheiden mag blamabel gewesen sein, doch zuvor fünf Turniere mit mindestens einer Halbfinal-Teilnahme bleiben wuchtige Argumente für Löw. Eine neue Chance hat er also verdient. Aber hat der Bundestrainer die Zeichen der Zeit wirklich erkannt? Waren seine Ausführungen auf der Pressekonferenz glaubwürdig?

Dirk W. Eilert ist einer der führenden Experten für Mimik und Körpersprache. Für die BamS hat der Leiter der „Eilert-Akademie für emotionale Intelligenz“ Löws Auftritt bis ins Kleinste seziert, jede Geste unter die Lupe genommen.

Dirk W. Eilert (42) ist einer der führenden Experten für Mimik und Körpersprache im deutschsprachigen Raum. Er ist Buchautor („Der Liebes-Code“), gibt Kurse und hält Vorträge. In Berlin leitet er die „Eilert-Akademie für emotionale Intelligenz“

Besonders zu Anfang seiner Analyse zeigte Löw Anzeichen von Wut – vor allem auf sich selbst, sagt Eilert: „Aus der Forschung wissen wir, dass Wut Zielenergie freisetzt. Diese wird dafür verantwortlich gewesen sein, dass er nicht zurückgetreten ist, sondern weitermacht. Reine Niedergeschlagenheit und Enttäuschung hätten eher zu einem Rücktritt geführt.“

Die kurzen, aber kongruenten (immer gleichen) Anzeichen von Wut in seiner Mimik würden darauf hinweisen, dass „seine Aussagen absolut authentisch sind“, sagt Eilert.

Das Fazit des Mimik-Experten: „Löws Körpersprache war geprägt durch ein Wechselspiel von Stress auf der einen Seite und Selbstsicherheit wie Fokussierung und aufkeimendem Kampfesgeist auf der anderen Seite.“

Besonders spannend: Löw zeigt mimisch nur ein einziges Mal Anzeichen von Geringschätzung in Bezug auf die Leistung seiner Mannschaft (siehe rechts): „Hätte er wiederholt Geringschätzung gezeigt, würde er sich damit über seine Spieler stellen und sich nicht als Teil des Problems sehen. Dass er dies nicht macht, ist eine wichtige Voraussetzung für die zukünftigen Erfolgschancen der Nationalmannschaft mit ihm als Bundestrainer.“

Studien haben gezeigt: Zeigt sich Geringschätzung als durchgängiges Muster, zerstört das den Zusammenhalt und das Vertrauen innerhalb eines Teams – und damit letztendlich die Leistungsmotivation.

Wann: Als Löw die Schlussfolgerungen aus seiner Analyse zieht und Lösungen präsentiert.

Das sagt der Experte: Er spannt die Augenlider an und zeigt Rhythmusgesten in Form des sogenannten Präzisionsgriffs – er bündelt die Finger. Bis zu diesem Moment war Löws Körpersprache geprägt durch Signale von Stress und Nervosität. Nun kommt Selbstsicherheit, Fokussierung und aufkeimender Kampfgeist auf.

Wann: Als Löw über Özils Rücktritt spricht.

Das sagt der Experte: Als Löw kurz pausiert, um dann auf Özil zu sprechen zu kommen, ist ein deutlicher Anstieg der Stresssignale zu beobachten: Der Bundestrainer leckt sich mehrmals die Lippen, beißt sich auf die Lippen und richtet das Mikrofon. Ganz klar: Das Thema stresst Löw immens.

Als Löw über den Özil-Rücktritt spricht, zeigt er die Zunge

Wann: Vor seiner WM-Analyse

Das sagt der Experte: Bei Beruhigungsgesten berührt die Person sich meist selbst, zum Beispiel im Gesicht, oder auch ein Objekt. Die Berührungen dienen hier dazu, den eigenen Stress zu regulieren. Dadurch wird die Ausschüttung des „Kuschelhormons“ Oxytocin angeregt. Dieses wirkt direkt und beruhigend auf die Amygdala, das Gefahrenzentrum unseres limbischen Systems, und baut auf diese Weise Unsicherheit und Stress ab.

Wann: Vor seinen ersten Worten.

Das sagt der Experte: Löw zieht die Augenbrauen und Oberlider hoch sowie die Lippen seitlich auseinander – eine kurze Mikroexpression von Angst in milderer Form und Unsicherheit. Ein Hinweis, dass ihn das WM-Vorrunden-Aus immer noch stark zu beschäftigen scheint und er diese Niederlage emotional noch nicht voll verarbeitet hat.

Wann: Als er darüber spricht, was das WM-Aus für ihn bedeutet hat.

Das sagt der Experte: Er zieht die Wangen und ebenso die Oberlippe kurz hoch. Hier wird deutlich, wie schmerzlich ihm diese Niederlage zugesetzt hat. Aber auch die Wut zeigt sich in seinem Gesicht: Löw presst die Lippen zusammen und spannt die Kiefermuskulatur an.

Wann: Als er ausführt, dass die erfahrenen Spieler mehr hätten zeigen können.

Das sagt der Experte: Löw presst kurz den rechten Mundwinkel ein – ein Hinweis auf Geringschätzung. Diese Mikroexpression zeigt der Bundestrainer nur ein einziges Mal in der kompletten Pressekonferenz

Wann: Als Löw sagt, dass sie es in Russland „verbockt“ haben.

Das sagt der Experte: Löw schaut er nach unten rechts und ordnet mit seiner rechten Hand Papiere auf dem Tisch vor ihm. Der gesenkte Blick und Kopf sowie das nervöse Sortieren sind Hinweise auf Scham. Neben den anderen Stresssignalen und -expressionen ein weiterer Hinweis, wie sehr er mit sich ins Gericht gegangen ist und immer noch geht.

Wann: Wiederholt während der WM-Analyse

Das sagt der Experte: Während seiner Analyse wirkte Löw zunehmend nervöser – so richtet er zum Beispiel immer wieder das Mikrofon. Eine sogenannte Objekt-Beruhigungsgeste, die, wenn sie wie hier in diesem Fall mehrfach auftritt, ein Hinweis auf ein hohes Stresslevel ist (siehe auch „Angst“).

Löw to continue as Germany Head Coach, 03.07.2018

Joachim Löw has confirmed that he will continue in his role as Germany head coach during personal talks with senior DFB officials, saying that he is fully committed to rebuilding the team for the future tasks ahead. Prior to his decision, there had been open talks at the association headquarters in Frankfurt am Main with the DFB’s World Cup delegation – featuring DFB president Reinhard Grindel, DFL president Dr. Reinhard Rauball, 1st vice president Dr. Rainer Koch, general secretary Dr. Friedrich Curtius, vice president Peter Peters and Germany team director Oliver Bierhoff – to discuss the World Cup in Russia and Die Mannschaft’s group-stage exit.

During the talks, the delegation reiterated that Joachim Löw has the full support of the presidential board and also has their backing to draw the correct conclusions from the team’s performance at the World Cup. Löw made it clear that, while he is of course disappointed with the campaign, it has not affected his motivation and desire to prepare the team for the challenges ahead. Everyone agreed that a rash analysis would make little sense. Over the coming weeks, Löw, his coaching staff and Oliver Bierhoff will instead undergo a thorough analysis and present the presidential board with their results ahead of the next international fixture.

“We had very open, trustful discussions and spoke about a lot of different aspects,” said president Reinhard Grindel. “We are all utterly convinced that, in Jogi Löw, we have a head coach who can analyse the situation very thoroughly, take the appropriate steps and lead our team to success again. Demanding a comprehensive analysis just a few days after being knocked out like that would be too much too soon. The head coach and Oliver Bierhoff should now take the necessary time to digest what happened at the tournament and then provide a detailed analysis to the presidential board ahead of the game against France on 6th September, when our Nations League journey begins.”

Löw: "Fully committed to leading us through this rebuilding phase" Joachim Löw: “I am very grateful for the faith that the DFB continue to place in me. Despite the justified criticism following our exit, I still feel a lot of support. It was important for me to speak to the DFB heads personally after taking a few days to think things over. I still feel a huge sense of disappointment, but I am fully committed to leading us through this rebuilding phase. I will do analysis together with my team, hold talks and draw the necessary conclusions ready for the new season. It will take time, but it will be complete before the new international campaign begins in September.”

Team director Oliver Bierhoff: “I am delighted that our team will continue to be headed by Jogi Löw. We sat down for a long time yesterday and I could tell that he is still fired up for this role. After 14 years of successful work, we now have to begin rebuilding. Our thoughts have already switched to that, and we will also consider what structural changes could be made.”

Germany captain Manuel Neuer: “I’m very happy that we can continue our long and successful path with Jogi Löw. I fully believe that we will be able to return to our old strengths.”

3 July 2018
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Joachim Löw: "Rudy will not play, but Hummels is fit", 26.06.2018

Less than 24 hours before Germany’s final World Cup group game against South Korea on Wednesday (KO 16:00 CEST), the reigning World champions’ preparations are running at full speed, even if a violent storm forced the final training session before the match to be moved. Joachim Löw’s full focus is on the match in Kazan. The head coach spoke about line-up possibilities, the situation in Group F and gave updates on the squad. Joachim Löw on... ...the squad: We have 18 outfield players available for tomorrow. Sebastian Rudy won’t be able to play – the game comes two or three days too early. It makes no sense even with a mask. He’s broken his nose in several places and was put under general anaesthetic. Jerome Boateng will be serving his ban. All our other players are 100% ready to play, including Mats Hummels, who has absolutely no problems anymore and is ready to play. ...Mesut Özil and the other reserves: Mesut impressed hugely in training after the Sweden game, as did Sami Khedira. We also have the options of the other players who haven’t come on yet. ...Thomas Müller: I had a long conversation with Thomas after the Mexico game. We analysed the game using video clips. He’s a very receptive player and he’s very self-critical of his performances. Anyone who knows Thomas knows that he always has a very positive outlook and is always looking to improve. He’s a really important player for us. ...the situation in Group F: I’m not one to go through all the possible scenarios. Of course I’ll be kept up-to-date about the score in the game between Mexico and Sweden so that I can react if need be. But we have to make sure we win our own game – by two goals if possible. It depends on our own performance and we have to do all we can to make use of our strengths. ...vulnerability to counterattacks: We’ve talked about it multiple times. It’s not just down to the defence. We were much better in the transitional plays against Sweden than we were against Mexico. We weren’t always successful, but it was much, much better. We have to keep working on it. ...South Korea: South Korea have strong counterattacking players. That’s something they love to do. They try to adjust to their opponents in defence. They will play aggressively – earlier than Sweden did. They’ll want to win the ball in midfield and they have two or three players who are really strong on the counter; we have to prevent that and we can’t give up possession easily. We won’t be marking Son man-on-man because he’ll take all the freedom his coach allows him. He makes fast runs in behind the defence so our defence has to be alert. We have to make sure we don’t give the ball away – that will be very important for us. ...the feeling within the team after the Sweden game: The mood wasn’t great after the Mexico game. Everyone knew the situation we were in and the pressure was on. After the Sweden game, it was pure joy, a big relief because it would’ve been very hard to go through had we only come away with a point. On the other hand, the team didn’t get carried away because preparations were to carry on the next day. The team knew it was a small step in the direction of the knockout stages and that we have to win against South Korea. I think we will be more focused against South Korea. You can’t spend too much time enjoying the moments at a tournament like this. Whether we take the euphoria with us into the game remains to be seen. The most important thing is that we maintain our focus. ...the starting XI: I’ve seen in training how much the players want to win the match against South Korea. It will depend on many things, including how they perform in training, current form and the games against Mexico and Sweden. I know the qualities of each and every player and I look at what he can do for our team and what value he can add. What types of player are useful against this opponent? There are various criteria which will decide how the team is set up. ...the heat in Kazan: The physios will be very important for us. In 30-degree heat, it’s clear that it’ll be a factor. But we’ve proven in both games that we can play at pace even when it’s hot. I think that the team won’t have any problems with the heat against South Korea. https://www.dfb.de/en/news/detail/joachim-loew-rudy-will-not-play-but-hummels-is-fit-189240/p/2/?no_cache=1&cHash=8b96ada52f3557e6d56e277bf8e833bf

Löw: "We always believed", 24.06.2018

Germany head coach Joachim Löw speaks about the dramatic final moments of the 2-1 win against Sweden in Sochi and the strengths of his team as well as giving the latest injury updates.

Joachim Löw, how did you feel when Toni Kroos scored the winner in the dramatic final seconds of the 2-1 win against Sweden?

Joachim Löw: I was unbelievably happy for him because he’d missed a pass which led to Sweden’s goal and it’s incredibly rare for him to make a mistake like that. He normally has a pass success rate of close to 100%. It was unlucky that it resulted in a goal. I was over the moon that he’d made up for it.

What did you like in the game?

Löw: I liked that we didn’t lose our nerves in the second half and we didn’t start playing in a hectic manner. We always believed that we could turn the game around. We were definitely a bit lucky that we managed to win in injury time with only ten men on the pitch, but we won through our character, by not giving up and by believing in ourselves.

A win which came just before the final whistle...

Löw: It was a thriller full of emotion – especially in the closing stages. We had Julian Brandt’s shot, which hit the post, the chance with Mario Gomez’s header. We tried everything in the last ten minutes and took off a defender despite being a man down. It was pure drama at the end of the game. But all do-or-die games at a tournament like this are balanced on a knife’s edge. It’s not the first time I’ve experienced something like this. It’s definitely great for the neutrals to watch.

Germany could face Brazil in the round of 16...

Löw: I can’t talk about that at the moment because nothing is certain yet. Different things could happen in the other group and we still have to beat South Korea. We’ll take things as they come, then it’s okay.

How will you approach the next “knockout” game against South Korea?

Löw: The players were exhausted after the game, Marco Reus had cramps ten minutes before the final whistle. Jerome Boateng is unavailable, Sebastian Rudy has a broken nose. We need one or two days to recover. Mats Hummels will likely be able to play, which would give us another option in defence.

Is the depth of the squad your biggest strength?

Löw: We have options and the squad is geared to let us exploit all possibilities. Those who haven’t yet played will definitely be needed. Also Mesut Özil and Sami Khedira – both will be needed going forwards.

24 June 2018
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