Germany U21 coach Stefan Kuntz worried by shrinking talent pool
Germany have fallen 'completely behind' in terms of youth development, according to U21 coach Stefan Kuntz.
Germany U21 coach Stefan Kuntz has raised the alarm over the lack of 'top talent' players available to him.
Compared to Europe's other top leagues, the Germans have fallen 'completely behind' if you look at the playing time given to players eligible to play for the U21s, according to Kuntz.
"Before going to the European Under-21 Championship in 2017, I had to coordinate with [Germany coach] 'Jogi' Löw, and in the end 10 or 12 players who could have played for the U21s went to the Confederations Cup or were injured," Kuntz told DAZN.
Kuntz added that this was only the case with two players at last year's European Under-21 Championship: Lukas Klostermann and Jonathan Tah.
"And now it's no longer the case at all. That's why 'Jogi' and I don't talk to each other anymore. There is no longer a mass of top talent," he continued.
Kuntz has criticized the German youth development a number of times in recent years. For example, back in 2018, he argued that the way of educating talent in Germany should be changed before it's too late.
"We have fallen too far behind the trends of the top teams. We have focused on possession football and played with a striker who can use his feet a lot, a false nine. But we have forgot the basics: Engaging in duels, crossing and to successfully go into one-on-one situations. Playing with both your feet, tempo dribbling and alertness is something that anyone can learn," Kuntz told Sportbuzzer.
Kuntz, 58, was appointed Germany U21 coach in 2016.