Germany legend Jurgen Klinsmann has claimed that the four-time World Cup winners were “complacent” and “not hungry enough” at Russia 2018.
The defending champions, who had been among the favourites to triumph this year, finished bottom of Group F after losing two of their three games.
Klinsmann, who managed the national side between 2004 and 2006, acknowledged that the prospect of retaining the World Cup is “always difficult” but stated that said Germany’s ambition to repeat their success in Brazil four years ago was missing.
“It’s always difficult when you win a World Cup to repeat that four years later,” the 53-year-old told BBC Sport.
“The hunger is not the same, the desire is not the same. The fire is not as hot as when you go through winning a World Cup.
“I just think they were complacent, they were not hungry enough. That reflected through all three games and even in the preparation they were not sharp enough. Unfortunately we deserved to go home.”
The reigning champions have been eliminated in four of the last five World Cups.