Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness said on Sunday that now retired international player Toni Kroos “has no place in football anymore.
Hoeness said this as he analysed Germany’s performance at the Euro 2020.
He said one of Germany’s problems was that former coach Joachim Loew was “desperate” to have Kroos on the pitch and, therefore, switching to a three-man defensive line.
Hoeness stressed that he has appreciation for both Kroos and Loew, but the tactical adjustments made to the team “totally backfired.”
He said the team played scared against England in the round of 16 and noted that Kroos did not cross the centre circle.
“His way of playing is totally over,” Hoeness said, criticising the Real Madrid midfielder for too many cross passes.
Kroos has meanwhile quickly reacted to the criticism on Twitter, saying: “Uli Hoeness is a man with great football expertise (even if it wasn’t enough for RTL), little interest in polemics and completely at peace with himself. Much like his greenkeeper.”
The player referred to an interview in 2002 when Hoeness said former Bayern Munich player Lotthar Matthaeus would not return to the club, not even as a greenkeeper at the Allianz Arena.
However, at broadcasters RTL, Matthaeus succeeded Hoeness as a TV expert.
Kroos announced he would retire from the national team three days after the elimination to England.
The midfielder made 106 games for Germany and won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
