Germany sacks coach Hansi Flick.

Germany 's 1-4 home defeat to Japan led the German Football Association (DFB) to sack Hansi Flick, even though they are only nine months away from hosting Euro 2024.

Hansi Flick during Germany's 1-4 defeat to Japan on September 9th – his final match as head coach of the German national team. Photo: imago — Hansi Flick during Germany's 1-4 defeat to Japan on September 9th – his final match as head coach of the German national team. Photo: *imago*

"The national team needs a new impetus after a series of disappointing results recently. We need optimism and confidence as we head into the Euros on home soil," DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said in the announcement of Flick's dismissal on September 10.

Neuendorf still highly values Flick's abilities, viewing the dismissal of the 58-year-old coach and his entire coaching staff as the most difficult decision since he took over as the DFB's top leader. " Sporting success is the DFB's number one priority right now. Therefore, we had to act," the manager added.

While awaiting the appointment of a new head coach, the German national team will use a temporary coaching staff to prepare for a friendly match against France at the Westfalen Stadium in Dortmund on September 12th. The group consists of three members: DFB Director Rudi Voller – who led the team to the 2002 World Cup runner-up position; U20 coach Hannes Wolf; and 35-year-old former striker and international Sandro Wagner.

The DFB's decision to sack Flick came less than a day after Germany suffered a humiliating 1-4 defeat at the hands of Japan at the Volkswagen Arena. Junya Ito, Ayase Ueda, Takuma Asano, and Ao Tanaka scored for Japan, while Germany only managed one goal through Leroy Sane. This was their third consecutive defeat and extended Germany's winless streak to five matches. Prior to this, Flick's team lost 2-3 to Belgium, drew 3-3 with Ukraine, and lost 0-1 to Poland and 0-2 to Colombia.

After the match, Flick admitted his disappointment but insisted he was the most suitable coach for the current German national team. However, Rudi Voller called the defeat a "disgrace" to German football and refused to guarantee Flick's future. Meanwhile, many former players such as Lothar Matthaus, Philipp Lahm, and numerous German football experts called on the DFB to urgently replace the head coach to stabilize the team in preparation for Euro 2024, which will take place from June 14th to July 14th on home soil.

Rudi Voller (right), 63, is currently the Director of the DFB (German Football Association). During his playing career, he played as a striker for Bremen, Marseille, and Leverkusen, and was a key player for the German team that won the 1990 World Cup. Voller also served as head coach of the German national team from 2000 to 2004, leading them to the 2002 World Cup final. Photo: DFB — Rudi Voller (right), 63, is currently the Director of the DFB (German Football Association). During his playing career, he played as a striker for Bremen, Marseille, and Leverkusen, and was a key player for the German team that won the 1990 World Cup. Voller also served as head coach of the German national team from 2000 to 2004, leading them to the 2002 World Cup final. Photo: *DFB*

Flick was previously an assistant to Joachim Low in the German national team that won the 2014 World Cup. He made a name for himself during his two seasons managing Bayern Munich, including a sextuple in the 2019-2020 season, comprising the Bundesliga, German Cup, Champions League, German Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.

After Low left in the summer of 2021, Flick was appointed as his replacement, but faced considerable pressure when Germany were eliminated from the group stage of the 2022 World Cup. In 25 matches under the 58-year-old coach, Germany only won 12.

Nhat Tao

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