The German national team is going through a transitional phase. Since Euro 2016, they have been eliminated in the group stage of two World Cups, and in the last 16 stage of Euro 2020. What is more concerning is their form coming into a home tournament, as they have won only four their last 17 games.
This does not bode well for the nation who will be aiming to win. Flick underperforming as a international coach is a surprise as he was Joachim Löw’s assistant when Germany won the World Cup in 2014. This articles looks at whether it was a premature decision to sack him.
These players did not play for Joachim Löw
Former German National team coach Joachim Löw did not get a tune out of these players in his last two tournament’s as Germany’s coach. In the 2018 World Cup, Mats Hummels believed Löws emphasis on attack left him and fellow central defender Jerome Boateng with little protection at the back.
This was a problem when South Korea had hit Die Mannshaschaft on the break the German defenders were exposed. Speaking after the game against Mexico, Hummels explained to German broadcaster ZDF: “If seven or eight players attack, then it’s clear the offensive force is greater than the defensive stability,”
The Euros is around the corner
Germany should have waited to after the Euros to sack Hansi Flick as the new manager will not have enough time to implement his style of football. The new manager will also need to know the type of players that he is going to coach for the upcoming tournament.
This is critical since he will know the players strengths and weaknesses and cater to them. They should have waited until after the Euros and it gives Flick more time to find solutions to the problems he is facing.
Performances and results were getting worse
Flick had won his first eight games in charge of Germany but went failed to build on that momentum. The following 17 games saw the German national team only register a appalling four wins. This poor form included getting knocked out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the group stage.
The final straw was the recent heavy 1-4 defeat at home to Japan, as the public outcry from this result from the German media led to his sacking. In the defeat to the Japanese, Germany’s attack looked toothless, with its defense seemingly incapable of dealing with the Japanese forwards and midfielders.
Who will replace him and how will they do?
The DFB will not find it easy to replace him as the two ideal yet unrealistic candidates (Thomas Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp) are presently managing in club football. The most likely option Julian Nagelsman is a very young manager who has scope for development.
It also remains to be seen how Thomas Tuchel and Jürgen Klopp will do on the international stage since it differs entirely to club football. Another option namely Louis van Gaal is from Netherlands, though it may prove to be problematic as Germany has rarely appointed a foreign manager.