Thursday April 15, 2021
Boateng, tax investigation, DFB anger
The best moments from TV expert Hoeneß
Uli Hoeneß needed a bit of time to warm up, but then he took on the role of TV expert furiously and provided RTL and the fans of the national team with clear analyzes, polarizing opinions and a flaming appeal.
Uli Hoeneß wanted to prove to himself that he could do it. The 69-year-old was on RTL’s side as an expert in three international matches for the German national soccer team. It should stay that way for the long-time maker of FC Bayern. A television era like Günther Netzer and Gerhard Delling once – which he had chosen as a role model – he did not shape, but he gave RTL and German football fans what he does best: plain language!
His flaming Corona appeal and his relentless criticism of the squad are particularly remembered. Hoeneß suggested to the outgoing national coach Joachim Löw that Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels should be brought back. Jérôme Boateng, on the other hand, he no longer saw in the DFB team. He hadn’t seen a place for Julian Draxler and Julian Brandt either. It was an appearance that reverberated profusely. As is so often the case when Hoeneß gives his opinion.
He also caused a tremendous tremor with his accounting for the German Football Association. The chaos at the head of the powerful association enraged the former Bayern boss. He denounced “power games, post haggling and expense allowances”. Hoeneß urgently demanded consequences. Also in terms of personnel. His sentence that “the tax investigation at the DFB comes about as often as the postman” is legendary.
During his three appearances, Hoeneß created a completely new component in the football expert scene. With his almost casually thrown in information from inside German football, he created topics of conversation. Where other protagonists could talk for several days in a row and at the end only a single sentence stuck in the head of the audience, Hoeneß chatted so naturally about (supposed) internal matters that one did not always immediately notice the scope of his statements.
Our football columnist Ben Redelings saw “huge potential” in Hoeneß’s appearances. And his friend-enemy Lothar Matthäus praised: “He did a great job. In terms of subject matter and content, I thought the performances were top.” Did Matthew also say that because Hoeneß saw him as a suitable successor to Löw? So be it! Two men, one harmony. Nice.
But also the national team, which was supposed to be the main focus of his appearances, was officially provided with Hoeneß’s clear text. The first two games after Löw’s announced withdrawal gave him joy and encouragement. The crashing debacle against North Macedonia made him “speechless” and robbed him of “euphoria”.
He once shouted to the enthusiastic fans of FC Bayern before starting his prison sentence for tax evasion: “That’s not it yet.” Does that also apply to his role as an expert? An RTL spokesman said: “We and Mr. Hoeneß had a lot of fun working together and we are still in a good and regular exchange.” Final whistle.
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