Mats Hummels, Jérôme Boateng and Thomas Müller have been dropped by Joachim Löw, but the team manager says Germany are not at panic stations.
Oliver Bierhoff insists Germany are not in a "doomsday" scenario as a new era begins following the controversial omissions of Mats Hummels, Jérôme Boateng and Thomas Müller.
The Bayern Munich trio, who all played a key role in Germany's World Cup triumph in 2014, have been left out by head coach Joachim Löw for the start of the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
Team manager Bierhoff suggested after relegation in the Nations League last year Germany should keep faith with their experienced players, but there appears to have been a change of heart.
Müller reacted angrily to being dropped while Bayern complained at the timing of the announcement, made just days before their Champions League last-16 second leg at home to Liverpool, and former coach Jürgen Klinsmann criticised the decision.
Germany play Serbia in a friendly ahead of facing Netherlands in Euro 2020 qualifying, with RB Leipzig defender Lukas Klostermann, Hertha Berlin midfielder Niklas Stark and Werder Bremen forward Maximilian Eggestein the new faces in Low's squad.
Parallels have been drawn to 2004, when Germany invested in a new generation of talent after being knocked out in the group stage of the European Championship, but Bierhoff is unsure whether their current situation can be compared.
"Jürgen has a view from the outside in," Bierhoff told a news conference. "I do not want to set a doomsday scenario, we are in a better situation compared to 2004.
"There are fewer and fewer potential players in the U16, U17 area, but at the moment we still have a lot of good players we can develop. Other nations are better off, but we can look back on a good base, not as good as 2010, but we still have good players.
"I think the most important thing was that the players learned it [being dropped] from us, from Jogi Löw. It was the right step to keep it short. This question of respect has surprised me, and for me as a player, the truth has always been the most important thing, and my impression is that after the first annoyance, some calm is restored."
Bayer Leverkusen winger Julian Brandt conceded he did not expect Müller, Hummels and Boateng to be left out by Low but suggested they may return one day.
"I was surprised when I read about it, I do not know the national team without the three of them," he told reporters on Monday.
"We take the situation and we want to continue to be successful with the DFB, you never know what's going to happen in the middle of it all, you always see each other twice in your life.
"Of course we have a lot going on, the team is a bit younger now, and a lot of young players, including myself, want to be more responsible, and we need to do that over time.
"I have to find my own way, I do not worry, one says more on the pitch. Manuel Neuer and Toni Kroos are still there, they bring a little more experience."
Sibadkntz
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the best German team right now
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wow its my Team Too. but i prefer Neuer. ter Stegen is better in the moment but Neuer is the best when he is good in shape. He was long time injured.
Juhbouz
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Germany trying To make child without Father
Cawaclmnrs
2
the best German team right now
liedeopuy
1
Fiadkmpryz
2
cuuackrsu
2
Low need to drop Neuer as number one keeper , and promote Ter Stegen and also I think Rudy is better than Gundogan in the midfield , he was one of the key figure for Germany at the confederation cup in 2017
Kirianaka
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That'll be only if they put Marc ter stergen in goal not that old Neuer
Spartacus_Aye419
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Maybe Germany would have still been in the World Cup if they had relied on Ter Stergen instead of Neuer
VidalArturo
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Only fools who think Manuel Neur should be number one starting goalkeeper of Germany feel Germany have no problems. It's high time the deserving one gets the number 1 jersey and the starting GK role #Marc Andre Ter Stegen