Football
Mark Lovell, Bayern Munich blogger 6y

Germany won't win World Cup without Bayern Munich stars - Uli Hoeness

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has told Abendzeitung that Germany won't win the 2018 World Cup without the contributions of his Bundesliga champions.

Joachim Low named his Germany squad on Monday, with captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer winning his battle to be fit for the tournament. Back up central defender Niklas Sule will provide competition to World Cup-winning partnership Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels. Thomas Muller, 2010's top scorer, will have another crack at winning the Golden Boot, while right-back Joshua Kimmich and midfielder Sebastian Rudy prepare for their debut in the competition.

Future Bayern player Leon Goretzka will join the Bundesliga champions on a free transfer from Schalke after the World Cup.

"They will make a decisive contribution to any success," Hoeness, 66, said in Munich.

Hoeness, who won the World Cup as a player with Germany in 1974, said: "Germany are one of three or four teams who can win the World Cup."

Hoeness then paid tribute to coach Joachim Low as the 2014 champs prepare to defend their trophy in Russia.

"He has made a massive contribution to the national team's success with his quiet, humane way of handling the players. I like the way he works a great deal and it's the secret to his success.

"Joachim Low has always managed to form a brilliant team from a group of individuals during the course of a tournament -- and I trust him to do it again."

Despite his success with Die Mannschaft, Hoeness confirmed that Low was never in the frame to take over at Bayern after Jupp Heynckes' departure this summer.

"We only considered coaches who were available. As he is under contract, we didn't talk about him," Hoeness said.

However, Hoeness added: "He is without question, at any time, capable of coaching a top club team."

Meanwhile, Hoeness was confident that Neuer would be back at his best in Russia, provided he remains fit.

"If he stays healthy, he'll perform well," Hoeness said. "Manuel is an outstanding personality for both Bayern and the national team. I am pleased Manuel is doing well and hope he stays healthy. Everything else will happen automatically."

Asked about Robert Lewandowski's transfer request, Hoeness was short: "There is nothing to say."

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