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I was just starting into my article about why I wanted to manage Spain when the David De Gea prostitution story broke. It’s far too early to say how factual the claims are or how the story will unfold, all I know is that I’ve too much going on at the moment (work, GAA, trying to guide a team through the European Championships in France) to add answering questions related to the sick habits of one of my stars to my list of tasks. Reeling from the brevity of my time at the wheel of the Spanish national team, I have sought solice in my new role as manager of the German national team.
Although there is obviously a lot pressure involved in leading the World champions into their next tournament, the level of talent and experience within the squad is a reason for serious confidence. Apart from the Republic of Ireland, who took 4 points off us with ease in qualification, there is no one in the tournament to really fear. Mezut Ozil, my star, took the soccer world by storm in the 2010 World Cup but has failed to light up tournaments in quite the same way ever since. I feel that he’s primed to make a declaration of brilliance to the masses. He was in sensational form for part of this season and continued to flash moments of brilliance throughout. The championship will consist of 7 matches at most, if Mesut can give me 2 or 3 moments of real magic in big moments then we’ll be hard bet and very close to our goal.
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The difference between Germany and the likes of Portugal and Wales is that our star is not alone at the top by some distance. Christiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will carry nearly all of the expectation alone while Germany are a team made up of stars with the likes of Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and André Schurrle capable of match winning moments. Muller is an unconventional yet prolific goal scorer while Kroos and Schurrle will contribute plenty throughout the month of action.
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My defence, held together by Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, is one of the very best in the competition which will allow for me to play attacking football that releases the strengths of my squad. The presence of the best goalkeeper in the World, Manuel Neuer in behind means that it will take a former minor hurler from Tipperary to threaten our chances of Euro 2016 glory.
In short, I have taken on the mantle of manager of Die Mannschaft from Joachim Low because this is probably the most talented team in the competition with recent experience of winning on the international stage. If we can avoid the Irish and pray for some miracle to occur if we can’t, I think we’ll be there on the winner’s podium at the end.
