The German Football Association (DFB) sacked coach Hansi Flick.

DFB said on its official website on the 10th (Korean time), “Coach Flick has been dismissed as the national team coach. The general shareholders’ meeting and audit committee decided to immediately dismiss coach Flick and his two co-coaches following a proposal by Chairman Bernd Neuendorf. “I have decided,” he announced.

“The committee agreed that the national team needs a new impetus after recent disappointing results. We need a new atmosphere and confidence for UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany,” Neuendorf said. “It was the most difficult decision I have ever had to make, because I respect Flick, but sporting success is the DFB’s top priority, so the decision was inevitable.” 지울프-토토

The DFB explained, “Rudi Völler, Hannes Wolf and Sandro Wagner will take charge of the national team on a one-off basis for the international match against France in Dortmund next week. The goal is to find a successor to coach Flick as quickly as possible.”

The defeat against Japan was decisive. Germany suffered a crushing 1-4 defeat against Japan in a close match held at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg, Germany on the 10th (Korean time). With this day’s defeat, Germany has had a poor record of 1 draw and 4 losses in the last 5 A matches.

Germany had a high market share. On this day, Germany took control of the game with 68% of possession, but was unable to create any opportunities. Rather, the defense was in trouble due to Japan’s efficient counterattack, and easily conceded goals, leading to a crisis.

On the contrary, Japan never missed an opportunity. Japan took the lead with Junya Ito’s first goal in the 11th minute of the first half. Germany balanced the score with Leroy Sane’s equalizer in the 19th minute of the first half. The joy was short-lived. Japan took the lead again with Ayase Ueda’s lucky goal in the 22nd minute of the first half.

Germany, who finished the first half with a score of 1-2, was desperate. Pascal Gross, Robin Gojens, Julian Brandt, and Thomas Müller were brought in to aim for goals. However, Germany’s attack failed to threaten Japan’s goal. On this day, Germany recorded 11 shots, but only 3 shots were effective. On the other hand, 11 of Japan’s 14 shots went toward the goal.

The difference in effective shots appeared as a difference in scores. Japan put a wedge in the game with Takuma Asano’s goal in the 45th minute of the second half, and clearly defeated the tank corps with Ao Tanaka’s goal in extra time in the second half. In the end, Germany lost 1-4 to Japan in their home stadium.

It was the first case in German soccer history. Germany’s Sky Sports said, “If he is sacked, it will be the first time in the DFB’s 123-year history. None of his 10 predecessors have ever been sacked by the association.” So far, Germany has had 10 coaches lead the team, but all of them have left the team through voluntary resignation rather than dismissal.

Before being sacked, coach Flick had no intention of leaving the team. He said after the Japan match: “I still think I’m fit to coach Germany, but football is dynamic and you can’t predict what will happen in the future. For now, me and the coaching staff are doing our best to prepare the squad perfectly. “He said he would prepare for the upcoming match against France.

He added, “It may be hard to understand, but we are preparing well. There is nothing I can explain. We will keep going. I am confident in our preparations. I will continue in this way.”

However, contrary to Director Flick’s thoughts, DFB chose to part ways with Director Flick. With this, Coach Flick ends his 17-year relationship with the German national soccer team. Coach Flick, who first led the German national team as coach Joachim Loew’s head coach in 2006, gained leadership experience by assisting coach Loew until 2014.

Coach Flick, who later served as DFB sporting director, took the position as head coach when coach Niko Kovac took over as Bayern Munich coach in 2019. However, when coach Kovac was dismissed after four months, he took over Munich as acting coach.

This was a godsend for Munich. Coach Flick showed overwhelming leadership and achieved a treble by winning the German Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and UEFA Champions League (UCL). Flick’s Munich won six crowns next season, winning the UEFA Super Cup, DFB-Super Cup, and Club World Cup. Flick was the recipient of the UEFA Coach of the Year Award for his outstanding performance.

We had a beautiful farewell. Coach Flick, who achieved success in Munich, led the team until the 2020-21 season and then became the head coach of the German national team. However, after taking charge of his national team, Coach Flick took a disappointing step. First, he suffered the humiliation of being eliminated in the group stage by Japan and Spain at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

While Coach Flick was leading the team, Germany earned a reputation as a ‘rusty tank’ with 12 wins, 7 draws, and 6 losses in 25 games. In particular, in the last 5 games, they showed a poor performance with 1 draw and 4 losses. He was eventually sacked after a shocking loss to Japan.

Meanwhile, Germany’s ‘Bild’ announced a total of 10 candidates as Flick’s successor. The media selected directors Jurgen Klopp, Jurgen Klinsmann, Louis van Gaal, Zinedine Zidane, and Julian Nagelsmann as candidates.