He told the Doppelpass television show on Sunday that one of Germany’s problems was that former coach Joachim Loew was “desperate” to have Kroos on the pitch and, therefore, switching to a three-man defensive line.

Hoeness stressed that he has appreciation for both Kroos and Loew, but the tactical adjustments made to the team “totally backfired.”

He said the team played scared against England in the round of 16 and noted that Kroos didn’t cross the central circle.

“His way of playing is totally over,” Hoeness said, criticizing the Real Madrid midfielder for too many cross passes.

Kroos reacted to the criticism on Twitter saying: “Uli Hoeness is a man with great football expertise (even if it wasn’t enough for RTL), little interest in polemics and completely at peace with himself. Much like his greenkeeper.”

The player referred to an interview in 2002 when Hoeness said former Bayern player Lotthar Matthaeus wouldn’t return to the club not even as a greenkeeper at the Allianz Arena. However, at broadcasters RTL, Matthaeus succeeded Hoeness as a TV expert.

Kroos announced he would retire from the national team three days after the elimination to England. The midfielder made 106 games for Germany and won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.