Hansi Flick has made some history as Germany men’s national team head coach — just not the kind he would have wanted.
Flick was fired on Sunday, marking the first time a Germany men’s coach had been relieved of his duties since the position was created in 1926.
The final straw in a tenure that lasted just over two years was a 4-1 defeat to Japan in a friendly on Saturday. It was Germany’s fifth match in a row without a win, and continued a run of just four wins from 17 games.
“The committee agreed that the German national team needs a fresh impetus after the recent disappointing results. Going into the European Championship next summer, we need confidence and optimism in the country regarding our team,” said German federation (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf in a statement.
“This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make during my time in this role because I really respect Hansi Flick and his assistants, both on a professional and personal level. Sporting success is of the upmost importance to the DFB, which is why this decision had to be made.”
Rudi Völler, one of three coaches taking temporary charge, added: “Hansi Flick worked incredibly hard over the past few months with his coaching team to try and turn things around after the World Cup in Qatar. Unfortunately though, he hasn’t been able to do so. The Japan game clearly showed us that we couldn’t carry on like this.”
Germany crashed out of the 2022 World Cup at the group stage, finishing third in a group that also included Japan, Spain and Costa Rica.
Julian Nagelsmann, who like Flick is a former Bayern Munich manager, has been tipped as a potential replacement ahead of Germany hosting the European Championship next summer.
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