Germany sacks Coach Flick After Defeat to Japan

Germany has dismissed coach Hansi Flick just nine months ahead of Euro 2024, following their 4-1 defeat by Japan.

The German FA (DFB) revealed this decision, making Flick the first-ever Germany head coach to be sacked since the position’s establishment in 1926.

Rudi Voeller, the sporting director, and former coach of the 2002 World Cup finalist team, will serve as an interim coach until a successor is chosen.

DFB boss Bernd Neuendorf cited the need for optimism and confidence for the upcoming European championships on home soil as the reason for this “unavoidable” move.

During a friendly in Wolfsburg, the German team was soundly beaten by Japan, with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s acrobatics preventing an even more significant loss.

This comes on the heels of Germany’s disappointing performance, having lost four out of six matches since their World Cup exit in December. Euro 2024 is scheduled to begin in Germany in June 2024.

The home crowd expressed their displeasure with the team during the match, with some fans chanting “Hansi out” at the end. Historically, Germany has been reluctant to make drastic changes to the coaching position, with none of Flick’s predecessors being sacked. Flick, who took over in May 2021 after Joachim Loew’s 15-year tenure, was Germany’s 10th head coach since World War II.

Despite an impressive start with eight consecutive victories, his tenure saw a decline, with only four wins in the last 17 matches and an early exit from the Qatar World Cup.

Flick expressed confidence in his approach even after the recent loss but acknowledged the uncertainty in football. Rudi Voeller, on the other hand, suggested a period of reflection, given the emotional aftermath of the match.

Voeller, who previously led Germany to the 2002 World Cup final, will take charge as interim coach, with his first match being a friendly against France in Dortmund.