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Germany’s Loew critical of striker Wagner over World Cup reaction

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Berlin: Germany coach Joachim Loew hit back on Friday at Sandro Wagner after the Bayern Munich striker said he was quitting international football after being overlooked for the World Cup.


Wagner suggested his direct manner had led to him falling out of favour, but Loew said in Berlin the player had gone too far. “I find it a criticism of his colleagues who also play,” Loew said of Wagner’s remarks published on Thursday by Bild newspaper.


“He depicts some (players) who have been with us for ages, who are among the leading players in the game, as if they were complete idiots, and only with us (in the squad) because they don’t say their opinion.”


Loew, speaking to Sky Sport News at an even hosted by Bild, added: “I can also understand that he is disappointed. But I found the reaction a bit overdone, including the resignation and the reasons for it.” Wagner, 30, had been tipped to go to Russia for the June 14-July 15 tournament but Loew chose uncapped Freiburg forward Nils Petersen in his provisional squad instead.


“It’s clear to me that I do not seem to fit in with the coaching staff with my way of being open, honest and direct,” Wagner told Bild.


“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. The World Cup would have been a great thing.”


His club coach, Jupp Heynckes, said on Friday: “I think he reacted prematurely emotionally. I would rather have seen it differently, but it is his personal choice, and you have to respect that.”


Bayern team-mate and Germany defender Mats Hummels said: “We comforted him because we like him as a guy. We show that we support him. “How to react is something that everyone has to decide themselves.That (the World Cup) was certainly his big dream.” — dpa


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