German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann does not expect any resistance from within the German national team to Toni Kroos' return after almost three years. "I spoke to many players on the phone beforehand and listened carefully to whether anyone might have a problem with Kroos. On the contrary! Everyone was very positive," the 36-year-old told Der Spiegel in an interview.
He also sees this attitude in Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich, who, like Kroos, has his favorite position in midfield. The 29-year-old Kimmich would have played at right-back even without the return of the five-year-older Real Madrid professional, said Nagelsmann. "With the national team, you have to subordinate yourself. You're a servant for your country. Kimmich is that."
After 106 caps, Kroos retired from the national team in 2021 following the round of 16 exit against England at the European Championship. Now he wants to return to the DFB squad for the international matches in France and against the Netherlands in March - and then also at the European Championship in his own country, which begins for the Nagelsmann team on June 14 in Munich against Scotland.
"He will fit perfectly into the team we have in mind as a link player in midfield. He'll do us good with his experience and routine," said the national coach. "Toni has a very clear view of the state of our national team. With every conversation I've had with him, I've sensed an increasing enthusiasm to be part of the home European Championships and support us, despite his actual retirement."
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