Germany fires Flick over poor run of form

Germany 

Sunday, 10 September, 2023 

McCreadie Andias 

German DFB have sacked manager Hansi Flick following Saturday's 4-1 friendly defeat to Japan in Wolfsburg. 

This comes only nine months short to the country Hosting the Euro 2024 tournament. 

Germany have lost four of their last five matches in the backdrop of their humiliating world cup exit in the group stages last year with flick winning only 12 matches out of 25 since replacing former coach Joachim loew in August 2021 whom he also worked under from 2006 to 2014.

Flick was dismissed alongside His assistants Marcus Sorg and Danny Rohl with immediate effect also becoming the first Germany coach to be fired. 

63-year-old Rudi Voller, who managed Germany from 2000 to 2004, Hannes Wolf and Sandro Wagner will take charge of Tuesday's friendly against France in Dortmund.

Voller who is also a former Germany striker was appointed director of the National team in February. 

German FA president Bernd Neuendorf said: "The committee agreed that the German national team needs a fresh impetus after the recent disappointing results.

"Going into the European Championship next summer, we need confidence and optimism in the country regarding our team.

"This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make during my time in this role because I really respect Hansi Flick and his assistants, both on a professional and personal level.

"Sporting success is of the upmost importance to the DFB, which is why this decision had to be made."

After the Japan defeat, Flick said he was "brutally disappointed" but thought he remained the "right manager" for Germany.

Former Bayern Boss Julian Nagelsmann, who replaced Flick as Bayern boss at the end of 2020-21 is a leading contenders for Flicks replacement alongside Liverpool's boss Jurgen Klopp who is also reportedly offered the job concurrently with maintaining his role as Liverpool's manager. 

Flick had earned the German job after a sterling performance with Bayern Munich side, winning the treble in an impressively excellent performance. 

He swept eight straight wins at the beginning of his tenure in the National team but a spell took over sending him out of the world cup with a loss to Japan, a draw to Spain and a win to Costa Rica