Germany’s U-21 coach explains why Lennart Karl deserved his senior call-up
Lennart Karl has impressed many in German football in very little time.
FUERTH, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 14: (LR) Lennart Karl of Germany Head coach Antonio di Salvo of Germany celebrates the victory after the UEFA Under21 Championship qualification match between Germany and Malta at Sportpark Ronhof Thomas Sommer on November 14, 2025 in Fuerth, Germany. (Photo by Marcel Engelbrecht - firo sportphoto/Getty Images) | Getty Images Germany’s squad for the the March international break was full of multiple controversial call ups and omissions. Many expected Saïd El Mala, Tom Bischof or others to make the squad, but no dice.
Meanwhile, there were many controversial selections. Players such as Leroy Sané and Leon Goretzka bore the most scrutiny, but there was also frustration aimed at the selection of Bayern Munich’s 18-year-old youngster Lennart Karl. After enjoying such an incredible Hinrunde at Bayern but only managing the jump to the U-21s once, seeing him called up to the senior team despite some underwhelming recent form in the Rückrunde was strange.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann explained his decision, but U-21 manager Antonio Di Salvo also weighed in with his opinion. “Lennart put in some impressive performances on the highest level of football in the Bundesliga and the Champions League and has therefore earned his nomination,” he explained, as captured by @iMiaSanMia_GER . “He also impressed us with 3 goals in two games when he played with us in November.
” Of course, the question of why he was promoted now and not when he was putting in those impressive performances remains the question. Still, Karl clearly justified his selection with his cameos against Ghana and Switzerland during the international break. Whether this will be enough to earn him a spot on the plane for the 2026 World Cup remains to be seen.