September 10 – Germany have dismissed manager Hansi Flick after a 4-1 friendly defeat at home against Japan, bringing to an end a disappointing two-year reign.
For the second time in ten months, Germany suffered a humbling defeat at the hands of Japan. This time the Germans went down in Wolfsburg to the Blue Samurai, prompting the German FA (DFB) to part ways with Flick less than a year before the European championship on home soil.
“The bodies (of the DFB, German Football Association) shared the same view that the national team now needs a new impulse,” said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf in a statement. “With next year’s Euro in sight, we need confidence and an enthusiastic mood.”
That kind of mood has been in short supply after Germany crashed out in the first round of the World Cup in Qatar, where Flick’s team suffered a 2-1 defeat against Japan. If that defeat preceded Germany’s exit, the loss on Saturday brought Flick’s time as head coach to an end. The former Bayern manager had been appointed to restore Germany’s standing after disappointing tournaments at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.
Flick became the first Germany coach to be fired since the role came into existence in 1926. DFB director Rudi Voller will lead the team for Tuesday’s friendly against France in Dortmund before Voller will move to find Flick’s successor.
“Hansi Flick has worn himself out over the past few months, and together with his coaching team he has given everything to turn things around after the team was eliminated from the World Cup in Qatar,” Völler said. “Unfortunately, we have to conclude today that we did not succeed. The Japan game clearly showed us that we can no longer progress in this way.”
“We have to act responsibly, we have to change things so that we can play the demanding and ambitious host role we all hope for at the European Championship in our own country,” said Völler. “That is what the fans in Germany rightly expect from us.”
Germany last won the European championship in 1996, defeating the Czech Republic with a golden goal at Wembley Stadium.
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