Joachim Löw rejects notion that Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller is a lock for return to Germany squad

Germany manager Joachim Löw has had quite a few days.

After announcing that he would be stepping down from his post as manager of the German national team, kicker leaked a report that said “well-informed sources” indicated that both Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller and Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels would receive a call-up to Die Mannschaft for the European Championships.

“I would like people to listen to me, too. I neither opened, nor closed the door,” said Löw, who predictably hedged on giving any indication what he might be thinking (per Abendzeitung). “As a coach I have to ask questions: What do we want to achieve? What’s our style of play? How can we make the team work? I’m making these considerations now for the tournament and then we will see.”

Abendzeitung also indicated that “it is also true that he does not consider it right to abort the rebuilding that he has initiated.”

If true, that statement could be damning for anyone hoping to see Müller and Hummels once again suiting up for Germany. However, there is some hope and maybe a bit of concession on Löw if Abendzeitung is reading the tea leaves correctly:

An interruption — and thus a return of the ex-world champions — is conceivable in view of the special situation in the corona pandemic. In May, he and his coaching staff will think about the EM staff before the nomination.

Deutsche Welle, however, captured even more context from Löw, which indicates he might consider bringing back the veterans — but, again, Löw did not indicate anything definite was in the works for either Müller or Hummels.

“I always said the change in the squad should take place without disruptions,” Löw (as captured by Deutsche Welle). “The pandemic resulted in a special situation where I question everything again ahead of the Euros to achieve success. We’ll see in May.”

Regardless, Löw has often been criticized for his stubborn decision-making and reluctance to stray off of the rebuilding path that he began to pave when he originally cut Müller, Hummels, and Jerome Boateng. It will be interesting to see if Löw relents on what has been a very firm position.