On June 14, Borussia Dortmund officially announced Mats Hummels’ departure, ending his 13-year association with the club. In response to this news, German football legend Lothar Matthaeus shared his thoughts on the situation in an interview with Sky Sports Germany.
Matthaeus stated, “Hummels’ exit is a sign of significant changes at Dortmund. I believe his critical remarks about Terzic’s football philosophy were a message to Nagelsmann. This made Nagelsmann feel threatened and contributed to Hummels not being part of the Euro 2020 squad on home soil.”
“Some coaches have a more cautious style, which doesn’t always gain support. People generally prefer attacking, high-energy football, and these differences often spark controversy. Hummels is a player who isn’t afraid to express his opinions. What he discussed reflects some truths but also stirred up a lot of debate.”
“Moreover, Hummels has greatly benefited from the defensive approach that he criticized. It allowed him to perform at his best when Dortmund focused on defense, exploiting his strengths. However, if Dortmund played with a high-pressing game like the German national team, it highlighted Hummels’ weaknesses.”
