10th September, 2023
Germany has terminated the contract of manager Hansi Flick following a demoralising 4-1 defeat at the hands of Japan.
The resounding loss in Saturday’s international friendly at Wolfsburg’s Volkswagen Arena marked the third consecutive defeat for Die Mannschaft, sealing Flick’s fate.
Hansi Flick, 58, who assumed the managerial role in May 2021, struggled to find his footing on the international stage. His tenure saw just 12 victories out of 25 matches in charge, culminating in this shocking exit.
DFB (German Football Association) president Bernd Neuendorf officially announced the decision, stating, “The committees agreed that the men’s senior national team needs new impetus after the recent disappointing results.
“We need to foster a spirit of optimism and confidence as we approach the [2024] European Championship. For me personally, it is one of the most difficult decisions of my time in office so far.
“I appreciate Hansi Flick and his assistant coaches as football experts and people. But sporting success is the top priority for the DFB. So the decision was inevitable.”
Taking over on an interim basis will be team director Rudi Voller, along with Sandro Wagner and Hannes Wolf, who will guide Germany through their upcoming friendly against France at Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday.
The DFB is now on the hunt for a new manager with urgency, as Die Mannschaft is scheduled to compete in two friendlies against the United States and Mexico during the October international break.