The clock is ticking toward the World Cup in North America, and Bayern Munich's honorary president isn't hiding his frustration. Uli Hoeneß has turned up the heat on Julian Nagelsmann, questioning whether the German national team is ready for the biggest stage in soccer.

In a candid interview with FAZ, the 74-year-old club legend didn't hold back. His main concern? The lack of consistency in Nagelsmann's lineup. "If Germany manages to become a cohesive team even though the coach hasn't managed to field the same starting eleven twice in a row – then we have a chance," Hoeneß explained, his tone dripping with skepticism.

This isn't the first time Hoeneß has voiced these worries. He previously raised similar points in a DAZN interview, arguing that Nagelsmann's constant rotation is preventing the team from building chemistry. But now, with the tournament approaching fast, his criticism has sharpened considerably.

"I can't say that at all, because the German team has never played with the same lineup twice in a row," Hoeneß said when pressed about Germany's World Cup prospects. He then rattled off a series of pointed questions: "Who is our center forward? Who plays goalkeeper? Who is the right-back, who is the left-back?"

The warning that followed was stark: "If things continue like this, we will end up sending a team onto the pitch for the first World Cup match that has never played together before. And that's unacceptable."

Hoeneß didn't stop there. Later in the interview, he drew what many see as a direct comparison between Nagelsmann and Bayern's current manager, Vincent Kompany. "The situation is the same as with us. Before the season, everyone said: The squad is too small, the squad isn't good enough," Hoeneß recalled.

In his view, Kompany has done exactly what Germany needs. "But then the coach improved all the players, and above all, he forged them into a team." The contrast was clear, and Hoeneß delivered what felt like a final jab at Nagelsmann's philosophy: "But our national coach believes he'll win the game. No, the team will win the game."

For fans and players alike, the message is unmistakable: with the World Cup on the horizon, the time for experimentation is over. Germany needs a settled squad, a clear identity, and a coach who builds a team – not just a collection of talented individuals.