Jerome Boateng and two other stars axed from Germany squad

Germany manager has acted on his sides failure at last summer's World Cup by telling Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels they are no longer wanted by the national team.

Last summer Germany entered the World Cup in Russia as holders, having won in Brazil four years earlier, and one of the favourites. Joachim Low dealt one of the biggest pre tournament shocks by not picking Leroy Sane, despite his brilliant season for Manchester City, but still had a star studded squad.

The four time champions were beaten in their opening game by Mexico and the central Americans hit them over and over again on the break. Against Sweden in the next group game Toni Kroos' brilliant last minute free kick gave them three points and it was assumed they would turn round the first game loss to qualify.

In their final game South Korea scored two injury time goals, with the second coming via an embarrassing moment from Manuel Neuer, and Germany were out of the World Cup before the knockout stages.

Both Low and many of the senior players received criticism but the manager was allowed to stay on in his role.

Now he's taken the steps to get back to former glory by dropping three of his most senior players.

Unless there is a huge change of heart from Low, or a change in manager, he won't get the chance to score for the national team again.

Between the three men they have amassed 244 international caps but they now have to get on with concentrating on winning the Bundesliga and Champions League with Bayern Munich.