The former Bayern Munich president suggested Germany’s chances may depend on the players building cohesion on their own, raising fresh concerns over Nagelsmann’s constant changes in selection ahead of the tournament.
Speaking to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Hoeness took aim at the coach’s approach and his inability, in his view, to establish a settled side.
“If Germany manages to become a team, even though the coach hasn’t managed to play with the same eleven twice in a row, then we have a chance.”
“But our national coach thinks he wins the game. No, the team wins the game.”
The comments are the latest chapter in a relationship that has remained strained since Nagelsmann’s time at FC Bayern Munich between 2021 and 2023.
Nagelsmann guided Bayern to the Bundesliga title in 2022, but his spell in Munich was repeatedly overshadowed by tensions behind the scenes and disagreements with senior figures at the club.
He was dismissed in March 2023 despite Bayern still competing on multiple fronts, a decision that sparked debate across German football.
Hoeness has never hidden his reservations about the 38-year-old, and his latest remarks suggest those frustrations have not faded.
Nagelsmann, now tasked with leading Germany into one of the biggest tournaments of his coaching career, has regularly defended his squad rotation as part of building flexibility and competition within the group.
Hoeness, though, appears unconvinced.
With Germany preparing for another shot at international success, the pressure around Nagelsmann is no longer coming only from outside the camp.