Germany Nat´l team still needs leaders: Ballack

Former Germany captain Michael Ballack said Thursday that the national football team lacks real leaders, reported dpa.

He does not know whether there are players in the team "who are key players in certain difficult situations, who can pull the others along," he said on the podcast "Spielmacher - Der EM Talk von Sebastian Hellmann und 360Media."

The 47-year-old added, "I think we still have room for improvement there," saying he would be happy if "a few more players emerged who have leadership as their main strength."

That is why new national team coach Julian Nagelsmann also brought back Thomas Müller and Mats Hummel, according to Ballack. "Because of course they have this experience, this claim to leadership, maybe also the empathy and this approach to the players, where Julian Nagelsmann noticed, 'I need them'. These guys are exactly the ones to lift the others to this level," said the former midfielder, who was Germany captain from 2004 to 2010.

Meanwhile, the three-time German Footballer of the Year said he sees a lack of self-reflection among today's coaches, especially referring to previous coaches Joachim Löw and Hansi Flick.

"Back then there was also a certain kind of self-reflection. If the goal was not achieved, you clear the way for a new one, especially in a football nation like Germany," the 47-year-old said. In the past, he said, a change in the coaching post after missing out on goals was the norm.

Germany have not progressed out of the group stage of the World Cup since winning in 2014. They will host Euro 2024.