Challenges and Uncertainty Surrounding Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s Absence from DFB Women’s Football
In a typical scenario, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg would have appeared at the DFB campus in Frankfurt on a Tuesday afternoon, discussing recent events post-World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, along with the upcoming fixtures in the new Nations League against Denmark and Iceland. However, since the German Football Association announced on September 8th that the national coach would be absent due to illness during the September international match phase, it has caused uncertainty within the organization with the world’s largest number of members, alongside the ongoing sporting crisis.
On this particular Tuesday, instead of Voss-Tecklenburg, deputy national coach Britta Carlson and Joti Chatzialexiou, the sporting director of the national teams, took center stage at the DFB women’s first press conference since early August. Back then, Voss-Tecklenburg and Chatzialexiou reflected on the unexpectedly early exit from the World Cup, discussing the pressure, potential internal issues within the team, and questionable decisions. Moreover, they pondered the significant question of whether Voss-Tecklenburg would continue as the national coach. To some extent, they had already officially answered “yes” at that time, even though a comprehensive analysis of the World Cup disaster was still pending. Six weeks later, this question looms larger than ever, and the 55-year-old’s sporting future hangs in the balance.
Hermann Tecklenburg’s statements that his wife had returned from Australia unwell, both mentally and physically, fueled speculation about whether she would resign despite her contract until 2025 and the commitment to continue working together. Voss-Tecklenburg herself has yet to comment on her health, and DFB President Bernd Neuendorf emphasized the importance of not speculating about it, given the circumstances.
Since the announcement of her illness, rumors of discord between players and the coaching staff have resurfaced. At the start of the press conference before the Nations League opener against Denmark, it was reiterated that this topic would remain unaddressed until the national coach had returned and spoken publicly about it. The analysis of the World Cup, which concluded prematurely for the DFB women in the group stage, will only resume once Voss-Tecklenburg has recuperated.
“This is an unprecedented situation for us,” noted Chatzialexiou, expressing a desire to conduct a thorough analysis to shed the weight of the World Cup disappointment. However, such a conclusion was not feasible while discussions were pending. He emphasized Voss-Tecklenburg’s pivotal role in this process, saying, “Our primary concern now is ensuring that Martina gets well again. That is our goal. Everything else comes afterward.”
The DFB representatives stuck to their initial statement. Nevertheless, the central figure in this saga could not be entirely ignored, especially as discussions surrounding her health persisted.
Carlson firmly denied reports on social media suggesting that she had initiated a survey among national players to gauge their willingness to continue working with Voss-Tecklenburg, resulting in a vote of no confidence. She refuted the allegations, deeming them baseless and vouched for her strong working relationship with the national coach. Furthermore, she dismissed rumors of strained relations between them.
When asked if she might be considered as a potential successor to the national coaching position, Carlson responded in the negative, citing personal reasons. She did not elaborate further. The former national player understands the intense scrutiny that comes with being a national coach, particularly considering the significance of the upcoming matches.
In contrast to the World Cup disappointment, the Nations League presents an opportunity to restore the team’s reputation in preparation for the 2024 Olympics. Only two European berths are available for Paris 2024, and the Germans must first top their group against Denmark, Iceland, and Wales and then likely reach the final of a four-team tournament. This requires adjustments in processes and tactical approaches, as well as extensive dialogues with the players, according to Carlson. She emphasized the importance of the team’s self-image and clarity to achieve success.
Among the World Cup participants, Melanie Leupolz did not join the national team in Frankfurt following her retirement, while Svenja Huth was absent due to the birth of her child, and Sara Däbritz due to a bereavement. However, Giulia Gwinn and Linda Dallmann from FC Bayern returned from injuries undeterred by the challenging summer.