Everything better under Wück? How the coach has changed Germany | OneFootball

It wasn't a completely easy and smooth start. Many changes in the squad, communication difficulties here and there, and a new playing style were brought in by the national coach when he took over the DFB women's team in autumn 2024. Apart from being a scout, he had no experience with women's football until then. However, since his first training camp in October last year, he has gotten along well with the team. At least, that was the impression given by the training camp before the European Championship.

In Herzogenaurach, Wück wanted to bring his squad's performance to 100 percent. After the Nations League game against Norway, he saw the team at 70 to 80 percent - and that despite a 4-0 win. One thing had improved significantly, though: the DFB women had recently appeared with much more consistency.

Constantly strong performances

In the past, even under Horst Hrubesch, the fluctuating performances were always a topic. Now, the team seems to have found a good way to consistently deliver strong performances.

"We often didn't have consistency, and I think it's just clicked - against the Netherlands and also today. That's exactly the conviction we want to take into the European Championship," said the national coach after the 6-0 win against Austria.

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This mainly concerns the offense. Lea Schüller, Klara Bühl, and Jule Brand, in particular, have formed a well-rehearsed trio in attack and have been able to consolidate their strong performances under Wück. And beyond that, Wück has a lot of potential in the squad. However, the team's composition caused discussions and turmoil, raising the question of what criteria the national coach used to select his players.

New playing system in offense

Because the national coach has switched to a 4-2-3-1 system, and the data experts from Global Soccer Network (GSN) suspect: "Christian Wück doesn't call up the 'best' players in the general sense for his squad, but those who fit best into the playing model he has defined." Whether that's true or not, the national coach hasn't commented on it yet. The fact is: players like Felicitas Rauch and Nicole Anyomi are not part of the European Championship squad.

Instead, Wück is relying on young talents and European Championship newcomers, such as Cora Zicai. He had tried out a lot in the test games since taking office in the autumn. More than 30 players were used in the ten games under Wück and were tested. He has now selected 23 of them to be successful at the European Championship.

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More flexibility in defense

One area of construction is the defense. Because at the same time as Wück's takeover, numerous players left the national team. However, in the training camp in Herzogenaurach, the defense also seemed to have found its footing. Assistant coach Maren Meinert expressed herself confidently to the SID: "We have made big strides forward. We feel good and, above all, we are more flexible."

In search of a duo in central defense, Wück is now relying on Janina Minge and Rebekka Knaack. The latter is a left-footer and can thus make more flexibility possible. These two, in combination with Giulia Gwinn and Sarai Linder, are supposed to take over the build-up of the game at the European Championship and prevent the opponents' chances. As replacement players, Wück is relying on young forces with Charlotta Wamser and Franziska Kett, just like in the offense.

Good atmosphere in the team

Wück's squad selection had certainly caused conflicts. However, the team that will now travel to Switzerland together seems to have found its footing. Co-captain Janina Minge reported from the training camp in Herzogenaurach to the SID: "There's not much to do because we have an incredibly good team dynamic. With the coaching team and the team council, various topics are discussed, otherwise the atmosphere is super.

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Captain Giulia Gwinn also confirms this. A week before the team traveled to Switzerland, she praised the "outstandingly good atmosphere" and said: "We're developing a very good spirit there, with our characters and the desire to achieve something big together." Gwinn has also noticed a change in the team hierarchy after the recent personnel upheaval. "There was a feeling in the team that there were many experienced players who had been around for a long time, who were loud and dictated the direction. Younger players didn't dare to speak up as much. Now there's been a change in the team, and I notice that more players want to take responsibility."

These positive developments and the good atmosphere must now be taken by the German team to Switzerland, where Poland awaits at the start.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 Christian Bruna - 2025 Getty Images