In a shocking turn of events, the German Football Association (DFB) has decided to part ways with national team manager Hansi Flick, a mere nine months before the eagerly anticipated European Championships set to be hosted in Germany. The decision comes hot on the heels of a humiliating 4-1 friendly defeat against Japan on home soil, marking a troubling run of form for the German squad.
Flick, who took the reins in August 2021 after his successful tenure at Bayern Munich, struggled to replicate his club success on the international stage. During his brief stint as manager, the national team faced a series of disappointments, including an early exit from the 2022 World Cup group stage and a string of losses to Belgium, Poland, Colombia, and now, Japan.
Bernd Neuendorf, President of the DFB, expressed the necessity of the change, saying, “The men’s senior national team needs new impetus after the recent disappointing results. We need a spirit of optimism and confidence in our own country.” While acknowledging Flick’s expertise and character, Neuendorf emphasized that the pursuit of sporting success was paramount.
Hansi Flick’s assistants, Marcus Sorg and Danny Rohl, also faced the axe alongside him. To fill the void, former national team manager Rudi Voller, Hannes Wolf, and Sandro Wagner will oversee the upcoming friendly against France. The DFB has declared its intention to swiftly appoint Flick’s successor.
Flick’s tenure, which began with eight consecutive wins, ultimately spiraled into disappointment, with Germany’s failure to progress beyond the World Cup group stage being a notable low point. Oman and Peru were the only teams they managed to defeat in the past year under Flick’s leadership.
As the search for a new manager begins, Germany hopes to regain its footballing glory in time for the Euros, where they will have the advantage of playing on home turf.
