News

Löw: "The Bundesliga keeps getting stronger"

Löw: I can't say for sure. I'm excited to see how Darmstadt will fare. They're proof that you can achieve a lot with limited means, whilst it's also worth noticing what's happening in Ingolstadt. On the whole, there are a few new powers emerging, which I find interesting. I'm a big fan of the work of Thomas Tuchel and I'm eager to see how his ideas unfold at Dortmund, and the same goes for André Breitenreiter at Schalke 04.

DFB.de: Several players from your squad have either switched teams or changed leagues, most recently Bastian Schweinsteiger, who's signed for Manchester United. What do you make of his decision?

Löw: It speaks volumes about his ambition and his character that Bastian hasn't taken the easy road. There are very few footballers in the world who can control a game like he does. I'm also positive about the other transfers – Lukas Podolski relies heavily on getting regular game time, something which was no longer guaranteed at Arsenal, and I know that he'll get a lot of encouragement from Turkish football and the fans over there. Mario Gomez, who's a top-class international striker, also has the chance for fresh start in Turkey, and I hope that he can show his class at Besiktas. Sami Khedira's recent injury is obviously a setback for him, but he's overcome worse situations in the past and often shown that he's a real fighter. When he’s fit and in form, he could do a job for any team in the world.

created by mmc/ac


The summer break is good for the players, but even the German national team manager is pleased that it's almost over. Who'll take the title? Who'll prove to be this season's surprise package? Which of the summer signings will fit in best at their new side? In an interview with DFB.de, Joachim Löw talks about his expectations for the coming season, which begins on Friday as FC Bayern München take on Hamburger SV. The 55-year-old also gave his opinion on the transfer of the legendary national captain Bastian Schweinsteiger.

DFB.de: Mr Löw, the holidays are nearly over and the Bundesliga begins again this weekend. What are your thoughts for the coming season?

Joachim Löw: For me, alongside the English Premier League and the Spanish Primera Division, the Bundesliga is the strongest league in the world, and it keeps getting even stronger. Every year, exciting players and characters come to Germany from abroad, and many promising and talented youngsters make the step up to the senior squad. This, as a result of Germany's superb development of young players, constantly makes the league more attractive. Therefore I, like the majority of fans, am pleased that it’s finally getting under way.

DFB.de: Which factors are particularly important for the national team in the coming season?

Löw: This summer, it was very important for the international players to get a good rest and regroup after a tough season. Physically, the top players are pushed to their limits, so I hope that my players can survive the season unscathed. On top of the established stars, there are a few young players on our radar. I'm expecting them to keep improving and ultimately offer me some additional options. We've got important European qualifiers against Poland and Scotland coming up in September, so I'm pleased that the league is starting again now – our players can finally get into a rhythm.

DFB.de: In the last three years there hasn't been much excitement at the top of the league as Bayern have always led from the start. Do you expect a tighter title race this year?

Löw: The excitement of the Bundesliga doesn't just come from the title race, and all of last season's other battles were close-fought and dramatic at times. As far as Bayern are concerned, the arrivals of Arturo Vidal and Douglas Costa have made them even more flexible, and as such the quality of the squad at Pep Guardiola's disposal is almost without comparison. That doesn't, however, mean that the title is already theirs. Wolfsburg's development is impressive; I rate Hecking and his side very highly. They've kept their squad together and have signed a top player in Max Kruse. However, other sides also have the potential to decide the destination of the league title – it isn't set in stone that Wolfsburg are the only team who can challenge Bayern.

DFB.de: Which team do you expect to surprise us this year?

Löw: I can't say for sure. I'm excited to see how Darmstadt will fare. They're proof that you can achieve a lot with limited means, whilst it's also worth noticing what's happening in Ingolstadt. On the whole, there are a few new powers emerging, which I find interesting. I'm a big fan of the work of Thomas Tuchel and I'm eager to see how his ideas unfold at Dortmund, and the same goes for André Breitenreiter at Schalke 04.

DFB.de: Several players from your squad have either switched teams or changed leagues, most recently Bastian Schweinsteiger, who's signed for Manchester United. What do you make of his decision?

Löw: It speaks volumes about his ambition and his character that Bastian hasn't taken the easy road. There are very few footballers in the world who can control a game like he does. I'm also positive about the other transfers – Lukas Podolski relies heavily on getting regular game time, something which was no longer guaranteed at Arsenal, and I know that he'll get a lot of encouragement from Turkish football and the fans over there. Mario Gomez, who's a top-class international striker, also has the chance for fresh start in Turkey, and I hope that he can show his class at Besiktas. Sami Khedira's recent injury is obviously a setback for him, but he's overcome worse situations in the past and often shown that he's a real fighter. When he’s fit and in form, he could do a job for any team in the world.