The German national Soccer team has hit a rough patch under coach Hansi Flick. After a disappointing World Cup showing and four losses in their last five matches, the German Football Association has decided to go in a new direction. Flick has been relieved of his duties as head coach just nine months before Germany is set to host the Euro 2024 tournament.

The last straw

The latest blow came on Saturday with a 4-1 thumping by Japan. That defeat appears to have been the final straw for Flick, who took over the national team after last year’s Euros. Despite his strong resume as a club coach, Flick has been unable to get Germany back to its elite status on the international stage.

DFB president Bernd Neuendorf acknowledged the difficulty in dismissing Flick, but said the program needs a «new impetus» and a «spirit of optimism and confidence» heading into a home Euros. While the next coach will inherit a talented squad, they face the tall task of quickly righting the ship before the pressure of hosting Euro 2024 next summer. For now, Germany will regroup and look to rediscover their form under new leadership.

First from 1926

Hansi Flick’s tenure as Germany manager has come to an abrupt end, making him the first national team coach to be sacked since the position was established in 1926. For now, German soccer legend Rudi Völler, who led Germany at the 2002 World Cup, will take over as interim manager.

Flick was dismissed after Germany’s shocking 4:1 loss to Japan on Saturday, their fourth defeat in the last five matches. While disappointed by the decision, Flick accepted responsibility for the poor results.

«You have to recognize that Japan are a good team. We currently don’t have the means to outplay such a compact defense. It was simply not enough», Flick remarked after the match. Despite Germany’s best efforts, critical mistakes allowed Japan to capitalize and claim the deserved victory.

Who will lead the Bundesteam in the match against France?

With Hansi Flick out as manager, the German Football Association has begun their search for a long-term replacement. Top choices include Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp and former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Klopp is the preferred target but is under contract with Liverpool through 2026. Nagelsmann is also signed with Bayern through 2026 despite being sacked, and has a hefty release clause. Other names in consideration are Matthias Sammer, Oliver Glasner and interim manager Rudi Völler.

For now, Völler will take charge of the national team along with Hannes Wolf and Sandro Wagner for Germany’s upcoming match against France. But appointing a permanent new head coach is the top priority as Germany aims to rebuild ahead of hosting Euro 2024.

Flick was hired in August 2021 after Joachim Löw stepped down following that summer’s Euros. But less than 18 months later, disappointing results have prompted Flick’s dismissal as Germany searches for the right leader to guide the national program forward. With a talented squad but little time before Euro 2024, the pressure is on to make the right hire and quickly regain their footing.

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