Germany sack Hansi Flick following defeat to Japan

Germany were winless in last five games under Flick

Germany's manager Hansi Flick has been fired after their friendly loss to Japan on Saturday night ended in a 4-1 defeat.

The German Football Association [DFB] has determined that it is vital to take action at this time because the nation is scheduled to host the European Championships next summer.

The referees for Germany's friendly match against France on Tuesday will be Hannes Wolf, Sandro Wagner, and veteran attacker Rudi Völler.

Flick had survived a terrible World Cup in which Germany was eliminated in the group stage, but since then, things have not gotten any better as they have lost all five of their games. On Sunday, the former head coach of Bayern Munich participated in practice before being fired.

“The bodies (of the DFB) shared the same view that the national team now needs a new impulse,” DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement. “With next year’s Euro in sight, we need enthusiastic mood and confidence.”

The 58-year-old left his position at Bayern Munich in May 2021 to take over as head coach of the national team.

He signed a three-year deal that was meant to last through the conclusion of the Euro 2024 tournament, but Flick quit after 12 victories in 25 games. He worked as Löw's assistant for eight years beforehand to joining Bayern, where he remained until being elevated to head coach.

In the previous 12 months, Flick's Germany had fallen to Japan more than thrice, including on Saturday night. At the World Cup in Qatar, they were defeated 2-1 and therefore eliminated from the group stage based on goal differential.

Flick had a successful start to his tenure as manager, winning his first eight games. However, he only managed four victories in his remaining 17 games, which led to the most recent embarrassment at the hands of Japan.

According to the German FA, they want to locate a successor as soon as they can. Julian Nagelsmann, who succeeded Flick at Bayern, is one prospective contender.

Völler, who served as the national coach of Germany for four years at the beginning of the era, will oversee the staff of coaches in the interim. He lasted a mere two years as head coach at the Allianz Arena and has since become unemployed.