Former manager Joachim Löw does not see Germany as a top contender at the World Cup despite the side's encouraging 7-1 victory over debutants Curaçao.
"The team has a lot of quality, but not yet the stability needed to win titles," Löw said on TikTok on Monday on the “Kroos & Kroos: The World Cup Under the Microscope” live show hosted by former international Toni Kroos and his brother Felix.
To pull off a major coup at the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA, coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team needs "the kind of personalities we had in 2014," argued Löw, who led Germany's World Cup-winning campaign in Brazil.
"That remains to be seen in this squad. Joshua Kimmich alone won’t be enough, nor will Manuel Neuer. We need a few more."
The 66-year-old, who managed Germany from 2006 to 2021, said the squad is not yet able to dominate matches for the full 90 minutes.
"They often let the opposition get back into the game a bit. If we manage to be solid, overcome such resistance and show more focus and clarity over 90 minutes, then we’ll be among the favourites," he said.
Overall, Löw said he believes the DFB squad under Nagelsmann is on a promising path, playing with a more innovative, brave style and with better attacking moves.
"The team has developed well since the 2024 European Championship. We weren’t at the very highest level for a few years, but now I feel that we’ve got a good plan again, dynamism, a certain creativity," the ex-coach said.
He noted that the comfortable 7-1 victory over Curaçao on Sunday was good for the team’s self-confidence and belief.
"But we mustn’t get carried away now," he cautioned. "That was certainly the easiest opponent at this World Cup."
