Germany on Thursday decided to drop the name "die Mannschaft" (the team) for its men's national soccer team, saying it may be a recognisable term abroad but was viewed critically at home. The name was officially introduced a year after Germany won their fourth World Cup crown in Brazil in 2014 and was part of the branding around the national team.
But a first-round exit at the 2018 World Cup and a round of 16 elimination at last year's European Championship did not help consolidate the name among disappointed German fans. Soccer officials, including Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, have said it was not respectful towards other national teams and was too arrogant a term.
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A recent poll conducted showed it was time to drop it, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said. "According to polls and analysis the name 'die Mannschaft' has a high degree of recognition especially abroad where it stands for team spirit and success," Neuendorf said in a statement.
"But it is also fact that among fans here in this country it is viewed critically and is part of an emotional discussions."
{{/usCountry}}"But it is also fact that among fans here in this country it is viewed critically and is part of an emotional discussions."
{{/usCountry}}Germany have qualified for this year's World Cup in November/December in Qatar.
This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.