Germany's Niklas Süle in action. © Tom Weller/dpa
Rudi Völler supports national coach Flick in the Süle case. The sporting director expects a positive reaction from the Dortmund defender towards the home European Championship in 2024.
Frankfurt/Main - DFB sporting director Rudi Völler sees defender Niklas Süle on the ball after the clear criticism of national coach Hansi Flick to be part of the national football team again at the home European Championship in 2024. "Now it's up to Niklas, that's for sure," Völler said on Friday in Frankfurt am Main, where Flick is preparing his current DFB squad for the three international matches against Ukraine, Poland and Colombia.
Flick has again not nominated Süle, who has been set in the DFB defence in recent years, for the end of the season. In an interview, he accused the 27-year-old Borussia Dortmund player of not consistently exploiting his potential. "Hansi can judge that very well," said Völler. "He was the coach of Bayern Munich, he had Niklas Süle under his wing there. We would all be happy if Niklas Süle would fully exploit the potential he has in top condition. Hansi knows what Niklas can do."
Flick hopes that the scolded Süle "will now jump on the bandwagon through good performances at Borussia Dortmund," Völler remarked with a view to the home European Championship in a year's time. In the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung", Flick had commented on the 45-time international: "I think he still leaves a lot behind. I want him to take a step forward in terms of his attitude, his mentality. For me, Niki could be one of the best central defenders there is. Its potential is huge." dpa