German football chiefs have blamed the holiday feeling atmosphere and WAGs for their miserable World Cup campaign in Qatar.
The 2014 winners were expected to get to the last 16 of the tournament along with Spain, however, they finished below Japan in third place, resulting in two successive group-stage exits for Germany.
According to German news outlet Bild, a two-hour crisis meeting was held on the back of their awful performance in Qatar.
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DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and Vice President Hans Joachim Watzke were among the attendees.
During the meeting, issues such as the behaviour of friends and family at the team’s hotel were discussed along with players in the squad not being happy with the ‘holiday feeling’ within the camp.
After drawing against Spain in the second group stage match, it was reported that members of the squad invited their partners to stay with them in the team hotel ahead of their clash against Costa Rica.
A number of the player’s wives and girlfriends were present in the stands during the match against Spain, including Kai Havertz’s girlfriend, Sophia Weber and Kevin Trapp’s partner, Izabel Goulart.
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However, it appears that this caused friction within the camp, with German FA staff, senior management and some players all believed to be unhappy with the WAG’s visit.
The German players and staff were staying at the Zulal Wellness Resort in the north of Qatar which is one of the furthest accommodations away from central Doha.
The 120-room, five-star resort cost can cost up to £1400 per night.
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However, it is believed that manager Hansi Flick ‘does not accept’ that the hotel and family visits were to blame.
Despite a poor showing in Qatar, Flick is to remain as the manager as they look forward to hosting the 2024 Euro.
Flick said: “My coaching team and I are optimistic about the European Championship in our own country.
“We as a team can achieve much more than we showed in Qatar. We have missed a great opportunity there. We will learn our lessons from that.”
Topics: Germany, Football, Football World Cup
Marcus Chan