Thomas Muller says he is angered by the news that Jocahim Low has ended his hugely successful international career with Germany.
This week Low announced “a new beginning” for Germany following their disappointing World Cup and Nations League performances, and said it was time to give the next generation an opportunity to thrive.
Three experienced World Cup winners – Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Muller – were cut from the squad to face Serbia in a March friendly and told their services are no longer required.
“I was perplexed by the national coach’s decision,” said Muller, who won more than 100 caps for his country. “But the more I think about it, the way it happened just makes me angry.
“I have no time for the finality of the decision that has been made for me. Mats, Jerome and I can still play top-level football. We have been with the DFB for a long and mostly successful time over the last few years.
1/17 Ranking the last 16 of the Champions League
Who is most likely to win the tournament as we reach the knockout stages? Last rankings in brackets
AFP/Getty Images
2/17 16. Schalke (16)
After throwing away a lead against Manchester City, Schalke remain 16th and likely to be eliminated at the Etihad
EPA
3/17 15. Borussia Dortmund (10)
Only a thumping of Spurs at home will save their skins and they are our biggest fallers
AFP/Getty Images
4/17 14. Manchester United (9)
Joint-biggest fallers after a 0-2 reverse at home to PSG, Pogba’s suspension is a kick in the teeth for Solskjaer
Man Utd via Getty Images
5/17 13. Ajax (15)
Defeated but rising in the rankings, Ajax performed well against Real Madrid but came unstuck thanks to the video referee
AFP/Getty Images
6/17 12. Porto (13)
A 2-1 defeat to Roma in Italy doesn’t spell doom and Porto are very much still in this tie
EPA
7/17 11. Roma (12)
A narrow advantage over Porto has Roma on course for the quarter-finals second year running
AFP/Getty Images
8/17 10. Juventus (5)
Perhaps they should have dropped further, but for all Juventus’ class it will be hard to score three times against Atletico
AFP/Getty
9/17 9. Lyon (14)
Impressively rattled City during the group stages and now a creditable draw with Barca. Could they?
AP
10/17 8. Tottenham (11)
They’re as good as in the quarters, yet Spurs’ ceiling is still unknown. Eighth reflects their strong chance of progression
AFP/Getty Images
11/17 7. Bayern Munich (8)
A tiny jump up the rankings for Bayern, who held out Liverpool in England and need to finish the job at home
AFP/Getty Images
12/17 6. Liverpool (4)
Heading to Munich, they need to score. Whatever happens, that tie promises to be tight and tense
AFP/Getty Images
13/17 5. Atletico Madrid (7)
Fifth feels low here. Atleti are on the brink of eliminating Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo but still don’t have the respect of those elite clubs
EPA
14/17 4. Paris Saint-Germain (6)
Having dusted off Man United, PSG can look towards the quarter-finals and a Neymar return
AFP/Getty Images
15/17 3. Real Madrid (3)
You’d like to move Madrid up, having got much of the job done in Amsterdam. They were outplayed by Ajax, though, and don’t look like champions.
AFP/Getty Images
16/17 2. Barcelona (1)
A goalless draw in Lyon doesn’t help their ranking but they’ll likely live to fight another day
AFP/Getty Images
17/17 1. Manchester City (2)
Three away goals and a lead going into the second leg have City edging ahead of Barcelona
Getty Images
1/17 Ranking the last 16 of the Champions League
Who is most likely to win the tournament as we reach the knockout stages? Last rankings in brackets
AFP/Getty Images
2/17 16. Schalke (16)
After throwing away a lead against Manchester City, Schalke remain 16th and likely to be eliminated at the Etihad
EPA
3/17 15. Borussia Dortmund (10)
Only a thumping of Spurs at home will save their skins and they are our biggest fallers
AFP/Getty Images
4/17 14. Manchester United (9)
Joint-biggest fallers after a 0-2 reverse at home to PSG, Pogba’s suspension is a kick in the teeth for Solskjaer
Man Utd via Getty Images
5/17 13. Ajax (15)
Defeated but rising in the rankings, Ajax performed well against Real Madrid but came unstuck thanks to the video referee
AFP/Getty Images
6/17 12. Porto (13)
A 2-1 defeat to Roma in Italy doesn’t spell doom and Porto are very much still in this tie
EPA
7/17 11. Roma (12)
A narrow advantage over Porto has Roma on course for the quarter-finals second year running
AFP/Getty Images
8/17 10. Juventus (5)
Perhaps they should have dropped further, but for all Juventus’ class it will be hard to score three times against Atletico
AFP/Getty
9/17 9. Lyon (14)
Impressively rattled City during the group stages and now a creditable draw with Barca. Could they?
AP
10/17 8. Tottenham (11)
They’re as good as in the quarters, yet Spurs’ ceiling is still unknown. Eighth reflects their strong chance of progression
AFP/Getty Images
11/17 7. Bayern Munich (8)
A tiny jump up the rankings for Bayern, who held out Liverpool in England and need to finish the job at home
AFP/Getty Images
12/17 6. Liverpool (4)
Heading to Munich, they need to score. Whatever happens, that tie promises to be tight and tense
AFP/Getty Images
13/17 5. Atletico Madrid (7)
Fifth feels low here. Atleti are on the brink of eliminating Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo but still don’t have the respect of those elite clubs
EPA
14/17 4. Paris Saint-Germain (6)
Having dusted off Man United, PSG can look towards the quarter-finals and a Neymar return
AFP/Getty Images
15/17 3. Real Madrid (3)
You’d like to move Madrid up, having got much of the job done in Amsterdam. They were outplayed by Ajax, though, and don’t look like champions.
AFP/Getty Images
16/17 2. Barcelona (1)
A goalless draw in Lyon doesn’t help their ranking but they’ll likely live to fight another day
AFP/Getty Images
17/17 1. Manchester City (2)
Three away goals and a lead going into the second leg have City edging ahead of Barcelona
Getty Images
“Then, shortly after we were told of the decision, pre-prepared statements from the DFB and the DFB President were delivered to the press. There’s no class to that, and it has nothing to do with appreciation.
“Now to you fans. I was always proud to wear the Germany jersey and I always gave my all. I want to thank you for your incredible support. It was an amazing adventure, with 100 caps and so many shared experiences.”
Bayern Munich have also expressed their frustration with the “irritating timing” of the national setup’s announcement
“Those who know me know I’m a fighter. I’ll look to the future. With Bayern, we have an exciting of the season ahead of us where we’re battling for all three trophies. And, with this in mind, I just want to say: The game isn’t over yet.”
