Toni Kroos has suggested Michael Ballack's criticism of Joachim Low may have been motivated by a personal desire to coach Germany.
Speaking to Deutsche Welle on Thursday, Germany great Ballack said he was surprised Low was kept on as head coach after overseeing their first World Cup group-stage exit since 1938.
Four years prior to that humiliation, Low had led his country to glory in international football's showpiece in Brazil, a tournament that included a 7-1 semi-final hammering of the hosts before an extra-time triumph over Argentina.
Real Madrid midfielder Kroos believes Low has earned the right to try to reverse Germany's fortunes and, perhaps light-heartedly, questioned Ballack's motives.