Joachim Low refused to be drawn into a war of words with Michael Ballack as he insisted he felt no undue pressure in Germany's top job.
Speaking to Deutsche Welle on Thursday, decorated former national team captain Ballack expressed surprise that Low remained head coach in the wake of the World Cup debacle.
Germany's defence of their 2014 crown ended in the ignominy of a first group-stage exit since 1938, but the German Football Association (DFB) stuck by the long-serving 58-year-old after extending his contract in May.
Low brushed off Ballack's criticism and claimed to be under no more scrutiny than usual.