In fact, everything should get better, coach Hansi Flick promised after the two defeats in June against Poland and Colombia. But in the 4-1 defeat to Japan, Germany looked as unimaginative and vulnerable as they have in previous games – and years, in fact. German football has been in a deep crisis for some time and even Flick, who replaced Joachim Löw as national coach after the 2021 European Championship, could not change that.
After five games without a win and only four wins in the last seventeen games, the criticism of the former Bayern coach is louder than ever. Experts, media and many fans are calling for the dismissal of Flick, who may get his last chance against France on Tuesday.
After the defeat against Japan in Wolfsburg, Rudi Völler, sports director at the German Football Association (DFB), called for calm. “We all have to think a little bit and think about what happens next,” Völler said. However, the 63-year-old was unable or unwilling to make a real commitment to his coach. Flick’s end seems to be approaching nine months before the European Championship at home, but who would be the candidates to replace him?
The obvious one
Julian Nagelsmann
Julian Nagelsmann has been without a job since his dismissal from FC Bayern in March. He reportedly rejected a number of top clubs in the summer, but it is unclear whether he will face devastated Germany. In any case, a transfer fee would be due for the 36-year-old, who is under contract in Munich until 2026. But if the German record champions give in a little in these negotiations, it will be with the German national team – as Bayern has already done with Flick.
Nagelsmann proved in Hoffenheim and Leipzig that he is a good coach, also became champion with Bayern and was still represented in all three competitions at the time of his dismissal. Of the currently available candidates, he would likely be the candidate of choice for many.
The surprising one
Oliver Glasner
The successful Frankfurt coach, who led Eintracht to victory in the Europa League, is new in the race to succeed Flick. Oliver Glasner is considered a great expert and does not shy away from raising complaints.
The Austrian clearly criticized his team after the defeat against Union Berlin and denied the quality of the defense. That was not well received everywhere, but in many eyes a critical coach would not do any harm to the German national team. Like Nagelsmann, the 49-year-old would be available immediately.
The obvious one
Rudi Völler
The simplest solution would probably be to replace the current coach with the team leader. Rudi Völler knows the situation of taking over a team in crisis and achieving success as quickly as possible. The former striker took over the national team from Erich Ribbeck after exiting the qualifying round at the 2000 European Championship and led them to the final of the 2002 World Cup.
Only then did the crash follow and another preliminary round result at the European Championships in Portugal. Shortly afterwards he was coach of AS Roma for a month and interim coach at Bayer Leverkusen for three games. Völler has not worked as a trainer since 2005, but in Germany the call for ‘Aunt Käthe’ is currently heard loudly.
The radical
Mattias Sammer
He has always been a man of clear words. Before the international matches against Japan and France, Matthias Sammer expressed clear criticism of German football and the national team to the “Süddeutsche Zetiung”. “Let’s face it: we’re on the ground!” he said there for example. He was shocked and dismayed at the way this crisis was covered up without anyone taking responsibility.
The BVB advisor and former sports director of FC Bayern could possibly implement the course correction he requested himself. The 56-year-old is brought into play by Lothar Matthäus, among others: “He is someone who offends. That is what we don’t have at the moment,” Sammer’s former teammate says about him, “that can be good for the team.” But Sammer’s last coaching job was 18 years ago; He became German champion with Borussia Dortmund in the 2001/02 season.
The ideal
Jurgen Klopp
If you ask the Germans about their preferred candidate, the name of the current Liverpool coach comes up most often. Jürgen Klopp would probably be the perfect candidate for the position of national coach and has already shown interest in it in the past, “if it fits”. But at the moment it’s unlikely that will be the case, and the 56-year-old still has a contract in England that runs until 2026. Klopp is almost certainly unlikely to leave his Liverpool job before the 2024 European Championship .
More candidates
In addition to the most frequently mentioned alternatives to Flick, Stefan Kuntz is also under discussion. Turkey’s current national coach is reportedly on the verge of retirement; he previously led the German promises to two European championship titles. He already knows some national seniors from back then, such as Nico Schlotterbeck, Florian Wirtz and Serge Gnabry.
‘Sport-Bild’ also advocates a particularly strict successor. Accordingly, the DFB must convince Louis van Gaal to return to the sidelines after his dismissal as Netherlands coach. The 72-year-old “general” explained that “a promising country” still had a chance to get him on board. Whether Germany falls into this category is anyone’s guess.
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
