BERLIN, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The German Bundesliga has a quality problem and has fallen far behind the English Premier League, says former German international Michael Ballack.
The 41-year-old former midfielder (1998-2010) called the Premier League the benchmark setting league for all national leagues. "I see a big difference in quality in comparison to the Bundesliga," the former German captain commented in a football magazine.
The level behind Bayern Munich's dominating side is surprisingly poor in the German national league, the 98-time capped emphasized.
Even the Premier League teams behind the top sides play a much more entertaining and forwarding football than most clubs in Germany, he said.
The gap between Bayern and other German clubs widens because of too much respect and reverence. "Other team feat to get beaten up," Ballack said. He suggested structural changes in the Bundesliga when it comes to the German title.
Former German international Stefan Effenberg recently recommended a "play-off-round" deciding about the national title would cause much more attention and entertainment.
These disappointing season performances of German clubs in international competitions are no surprise to him. Bayern is the only remaining German Champions League participant, while Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig only compete in the Euro League after their elimination in the Champions League.
Five teams of the Premier League joined the race of the last-16-round matches of the Champions League.
Due to the increasing quality of the English national league, more and more German key performers get attracted by the Premier League and are going to leave the Bundesliga. The problem will get worse for the German league the Chemnitz-born footballer is predicting. He mentioned Kevin de Bruyne and Leroy Sane (both Manchester City).
Meanwhile, the best football coaches are joining Premier League clubs Germany's footballer of the years 2002, 2003 and 2005 said. Like players, they are attracted by more competition, quality, and a higher salary level.
Bayern Munich has the quality to win the 2017/2018 Champions League campaign, but his big favorite is Manchester City as their coach Pep Guardiola has lifted the side to a new level. "I would have loved to work with him as a player," Ballack stressed.
Next, to their always well-prepared squad and well-run administration, Bayern follow's a smart strategy by weakening national rivals. "As soon as they can get an outstanding performer of a national rival they take the opportunity," Ballack commented.
But the German league is suffering from a general quality problem the 2010 English Champion (Chelsea) said, recommending an update of education contents for youngsters. The German youth education in his perspective has misleading priorities.
In today's education, too much regulation endangers the personality of youngsters. "Controlling of every little part of the body and the game are what we see. But what about individual qualities going far beyond team efforts?" Ballack asked. Freedom is inevitable to develop the character the former midfielder emphasized.
The former Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen professional demanded to focus on personal development and to allow exceptional talents to find their way off the main-stream.
"They might not be that easy going, but football needs individuality," Ballack emphasized, adding that football education needs more involvement of former players taking who should take over youth teams coaching. Experience is beating educational programs provided by books and teachers lacking a professional football background.
