Germany did not call Thomas Muller

"I discussed it with Muller," Germany coach Hansi Flick confirmed not calling Muller on March 12. "I want to give younger players a chance. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have a chance at Euro 2024."

Muller is in high form with Bayern. In 12 matches after the World Cup break, the 33-year-old striker helped the club win eight, draw three and lose only one. Two of them are the matches against PSG with a total score of 3-0 in the 1/8 Champions League round. "Why should I close the door with a player like that?" added Flick. "Look at how important Muller is to Bayern now. He's really important again and I'm happy for him."

The last time Muller played for Germany was the 2022 World Cup. Germany had to return home from the group stage, after losing 1-2 to Japan, drawing 1-1 with Spain and winning 4-2 over Costa Rica. Muller started all three games, but failed to score.

World Cup 2022 is the first international tournament of coach Flick. He was under pressure to reform the squad after the defeat at Euro 2021 by former coach Joachim Low. "We did an in-depth analysis of the World Cup and were very hard on ourselves," Flick said of the World Cup defeat. "If you add up all the factors, we deserve to be eliminated."

Muller used to be Flick's favorite student at Bayern. During his two seasons in charge of Bayern from 2019 to 2021, Flick won two Bundesligas, a German Cup, a German Super Cup, a Champions League, a European Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.

Germany will play friendly matches against Peru on March 25 and Belgium on March 28. These are Germany's first matches after the World Cup.

As the host, Germany will go straight to Euro 2024. The tournament will take place from June 14 to July 14, 2024. Together with Spain, Germany holds the record of three Euro championships. They were crowned in 1972, 1980 and 1996. At the World Cup, Germany won four times in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014.

Muller played 121 matches and scored 44 goals for the team. The 33-year-old striker with the team won the bronze medal at the 2010 World Cup, won the 2014 World Cup, reached the semi-finals of Euro 2012, the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and the round of 16 of Euro 2021. With Bayern, Muller contributed 232 goals in 653 matches, winning 11 Bundesliga, six German Cups, eight German Super Cups, two Champions Leagues, two European Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups.