Goalkeeper Frohms quits
DFB women have to cope with surprising resignation
03.09.2024, 10:32 a.m.
The new national coach Christian Wück has to plan without a world-class goalkeeper: Merle Frohms announces her retirement from the national football team. The 29-year-old was demoted before the Olympic success, now she wants to concentrate on the games for the club.
Goalkeeper Merle Frohms has announced her retirement from the national football team. The 29-year-old is no longer available to the new national coach Christian Wück. The Olympic Games, at which the DFB team won bronze but Frohms only sat on the substitute bench, was her last tournament.
“Since the World Cup last year, the decision has been made that the Olympic tournament in Paris would be my last in the national team,” Frohms said, according to a DFB statement. “I look back on six eventful and unforgettable years with numerous ups and downs. Representing my country as number one at two major tournaments was an honor for me, but also very physically and mentally demanding.” She wants to have more time for family and friends in the future.
Frohms is continuing her career in the Bundesliga: “On the pitch, I will devote all my energy and focus to VfL Wolfsburg in the future.” She won the cup again with the club in May.
52 international matches in six years
Wück, who is taking over from interim national coach Horst Hrubesch, regretted the resignation: “I would have loved to work with Merle and made that clear to her in a personal conversation.” Sports director Nia Künzer also praised the goalkeeper: “I very much regret Merle’s decision. She was always an important part of our team, a reliable support and an absolute top performer. With her performance, she has played a lasting role in our team’s successes, including at the outstanding European Championships in 2022.” Two years ago, the DFB women finished runners-up in the European Championships behind the hosts at the tournament in England.
Frohms made her debut for the senior national team on October 6, 2018 in a 3-1 win against Austria. She was the third goalkeeper at the 2019 World Cup, and she played in the 2022 European Championships as well as the disastrous 2023 World Cup. She was also initially the first choice under Hrubesch, before he demoted her shortly before the Olympic Games and gave her the trust and preference to Ann-Katrin Berger. In total, Frohms played 52 international matches in the German goal.
It is unclear whether other players will retire from the national team in addition to Frohms. Some of the established players could use the Olympic success as an opportunity. There is speculation about the retirement of 34-year-old central defender Marina Hegering or captain Alexandra Popp. The 33-year-old had already considered ending her DFB career after the 2023 World Cup.