Coach Nagelsmann on Kroos comeback: 'Everyone was very positive'

Toni Kroos will do the ailing Germany team good with his vast experience in a return from international retirement, and his comeback is also welcomed by other players, coach Julian Nagelsmann has said.

The 2014 World Cup winner and Real Madrid midfielder Kroos said on Thursday he will be back for upcoming March friendlies against France and the Netherlands, and this summer's Euro 2024 in Germany which the team starts on June 14 against Scotland.

Kroos, who initially retired with 106 caps after the last Euros, said he came to the decision in several talks with Nagelsmann.

Nagelsmann told Der Spiegel news magazine in an interview published on Friday: "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."

Five-time Champions League winner Kroos, 34, will shake up the hierarchy in an already loaded midfield because he will definitely play but Nagelsmann said that other players are happy to have him back.

"I spoke to a lot of players on the phone beforehand and listened carefully to whether anyone might have a problem with Kroos. On the contrary! Everyone was very positive," Nagelsmann said.

This includes Joshua Kimmich who likes to play the same position as Kroos. Nagelsmann insisted that he would have used the Bayern Munich player as right back, anyway.

"In the national team you have to accept a subordinate role. You're a servant for your country. Kimmich is that," Nagelsmann said.

Nagelsmann believes that Kroos can help adding more stability to the German team that won only three of its 2023 games and ended the year in bad shape with defeats against Turkey and Austria.

"He will fit perfectly into the team we have in mind as a link player in midfield. He will do us good with his experience and routine," Nagelsmann said.

Former national team general manager Oliver Bierhoff struck a similar note, saying: "I'm very happy about Toni's return to the national team. He is one of the best midfielders in the world and makes every team stronger.

"His experience, quality and leadership will be an asset to the national team and I'm sure he'll add hype to the team," Bierhoff told media group Münchner Merkur/tz.

Former Germany midfielder Hansi Müller named Kroos' return "evidence of incapacity" for the other midfielders, and a "very explosive and sensitive" decision.

Müller said that Kroos remains an outstanding footballer who can help the team but he also highlighted the risks of Kroos' return.

"The expectations towards a player like that are incredibly high when he returns. If it doesn't work out with him - for whatever reason - then he's the big loser," Müller warned.