‘Bring the joy back’: Oberdorf hits out at Germany coach Voss-Tecklenburg

Star Germany women’s team midfielder Lena Oberdorf has criticised absent manager Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, saying on Monday she had “question marks” about the coach.

Voss-Tecklenburg has been on sick leave since Germany’s disastrous early exit at the 2023 World Cup in August with the German FA (DFB) and the players unsure if the coach will return. 

It has emerged however that the coach has been on an overseas holiday and gave a guest lecture at the Bavarian Dental Association on Thursday. 

“It raises a few question marks for me,” Oberdorf said in Frankfurt on Monday ahead of Friday’s Nations League match against Wales. 

“I would have wished for something different. For example, we could first clarify what happened at the World Cup and then she could go on vacation.”

Germany’s women were eliminated at the group stage for the first time at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. 

Germany has played two Nations League matches since, losing 2-0 to Denmark and beating Iceland 4-0.

Voss-Tecklenburg led Germany to the final of Euro 2022, which they lost 2-1 in extra time to England,

Asked if the coach should return,  Oberdorf said she did not have the “power” to make such a decision. 

“I’m just here to do my job. The DFB will take care of everything else.”

Sitting alongside interim coach Horst Hrubesch, Oberdorf, 21, said the interim manager had “brought back the joy we’ve been missing for the past few games.”

“We have a clear mission and with Horst Hrubesch we also have a good coach at our side.”

The Wolfsburg midfielder said “I’ve only heard good things about him… we want to show the football we can play.”