The Untold Story: Jogi Löw's Oversight of Mesut Özil's Resignation

The 2014 World Cup winner ended his international career four years later – much to the disappointment of the national team manager. In a TV documentary about Mesut Özil, former Germany manager Joachim Löw revealed that he had not given much thought to the 2014 World Cup winner’s retirement, which the player announced following the team’s disappointing World Cup campaign in Russia four years later.Özil had made headlines in the run-up to the 2018 tournament because – just like Ilkay Gündogan – he had visited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and had his photo taken with him. Public sentiment in Germany turned against Özil, who resigned following Germany’s historic group-stage exit in Russia and accused DFB officials of racism in a three-part post written in English. "I never read the whole press release or the reasons behind it. Firstly, it was too long for me, and secondly, I was disappointed at the time because I hadn’t actually heard it from him personally," Löw said in the ZDF documentary "Mesut Özil – zu Gast bei Freunden". Özil himself was not available for the multi-part documentary and has been turning down all media enquiries for several years. "Mesut now lives in Turkey and is rarely in Germany, or only very rarely," reported Löw.According to Özil’s former agent, Erkut Sögüt, the fact that the resignation statement turned into a reckoning with DFB officials was the player’s own wish: “For Mesut, it was clear from the start: we have nothing to apologise for. We did nothing wrong. That was exactly how he wanted it,” he said. Özil ended his football career in 2023, having most recently played for Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Exploring Mesut Özil's Departure

In a surprising turn of events, former Germany manager Joachim Löw unveils his lack of reflection on Mesut Özil's farewell from the national team, a decision that left many astounded in the football community. The 2014 World Cup winner's exit came in the aftermath of a disappointing World Cup campaign in Russia, leading to an air of disappointment for the national team manager.

The Erdogan Controversy and Fallout

Prior to the 2018 World Cup, Mesut Özil stirred controversy by visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a move that sparked public backlash in Germany. Coupled with Germany's unexpected group-stage exit in Russia, Özil's resignation and subsequent accusations of racism against DFB officials sent shockwaves through the football world, culminating in a remarkable three-part post written in English.

Jogi Löw's Surprising Admission

In a revealing TV documentary titled 'Mesut Özil – zu Gast bei Freunden', Jogi Löw candidly admits that he never delved into the depth of Özil's resignation statement as it was 'too long for me'. Expressing his disappointment over not hearing the news directly from the player, Löw sheds light on the emotional aftermath of the revelation, highlighting an unexpected facet of their relationship.

Özil's Unapologetic Stance

As per Özil's former agent, Erkut Sögüt, the decision for the resignation statement to transform into a critique of DFB officials was solely Özil's prerogative, reflecting his unwavering belief that no apologies were warranted. This resolute stance underscores Özil's unwavering commitment to his principles, shaping the narrative of his departure in a unique and defiant manner.

Legacy and Beyond

Mesut Özil brought his illustrious football career to a close in 2023, culminating his journey that spanned prominent clubs and the national team. With his recent spell at Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey, Özil's legacy endures, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and inspiring reflections on his contributions on and off the pitch.