Germany fired head coach Hansi Flick after being crushed 4-1 by Japan in a friendly on Saturday night.
The German Football Association (DFB) took action because the country is set to host the European Championship finals next summer. Flick is the first German manager to be fired since the position was created in 1926.
Former striker Rudi Völler will be in charge of the friendly against France on Tuesday, alongside Hannes Wolf and Sandro Wagner.
Flick had survived a terrible World Cup in which Germany was eliminated in the group stage, but things have not improved as the squad has failed to win any of their last five games. The former Bayern Munich head coach reported for duty on Sunday but was later relieved of his responsibilities.
“The bodies [of the DFB] shared the same view that the national team now needs a new impulse,” stated Bernd Neuendorf, president of the DFB. “With the Euro coming up next year, we need a positive attitude and confidence.”
The 58-year-old quit his post at Bayern Munich in May 2021 to replace Joachim Löw with the national team, signing a three-year contract that was meant to last through the end of Euro 2024, but Flick has gone after 12 wins in 25 matches.
He had previously worked as Löw’s assistant for eight years before joining Bayern in the same capacity before being named to head coach.
Germany fired Hansi Flick after an embarrassing 1-4 loss to Japan
Flick’s Germany had lost to Japan on Saturday night for the second time in a year. At the World Cup in Qatar, they were defeated 2-1 and were eliminated from the group stage on goal difference.
Flick started well, winning his first eight games in charge. However, he followed that up with four victories in his final 17 matches, resulting in Japan’s latest humiliation.
The German FA stated that it is looking for a successor as quickly as feasible. Julian Nagelsmann, who took over for Flick at Bayern, is one possible possibility.
Völler, who led Germany’s national team for four years at the turn of the century, will oversee the coaching staff. He was ousted after less than two years in charge at the Allianz Arena.
The most pressing need, according to Völler, is to recruit a national team coach who can quickly turn things around.”
“Secondly, we need to get our team ready for the important Euro tournament the following year.”
“We expect positive impulses from them, as does the rest of the country.” A coach who can raise our level to where we know it should be.”
