It's a while since I did the reading, but my recollection is that by the time he was in command in Nth Africa, Rommel was not terribly well regarded by many senior German military officers.
It appears that he was regarded as something of a glory hound who was not above "stealing" equipment allocated to other formations...... which is supposedly one of the reasons that he was so spectacularly successful in the invasion of France. Recall also that his aggressive action in the early stages of the Nth Africa campaign was against orders and that this tends to get you a reputation as a loose cannon.
Quote:
* Rommel was jumpy, wanted to do everything at once, then lost interest. Rommel was my superior in command in Normandy. I cannot say Rommel wasn't a good general. When successful, he was good; during reverses, he became depressed.
o Sepp Dietrich, to Leon Goldensohn (28 February 1946)
* He was the best leader of fast-moving troops but only up to army level. Above that level it was too much for him. Rommel was given too much responsibility. He was a good commander for a corps of army but he was too moody, too changeable. One moment he would be enthusiastic, next moment depressed.
o Albert Kesselring, to Leon Goldensohn (4 February 1946)