A three-way meeting should show the way for national coach Hansi Flick. The top decision-makers in German football ask the coach for a report. Can Flick continue? And does he even want that?
The future of national coach Hansi Flick could be decided on Wednesday. The 57-year-old is expected to meet with DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and DFL Supervisory Board Chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke to analyze the early failure of the World Cup.
Flick has to do without national team director Oliver Bierhoff as an advocate, his confidant has to leave the German Football Association.
What speaks for a future with Flick?
Second chance: The World Cup was Flick’s first major tournament as national coach. It would be hasty to chase him out of office now, said many companions and experts. Flick will learn his lessons and grow from the disappointment. “Very, very quickly” he wanted to work up the World Cup bankruptcy, promised Flick himself. “I hope he stays and point,” said defense chief Antonio Rüdiger after the World Cup debacle.
Reputation: Flick’s six-title season with FC Bayern wasn’t that long ago. He was considered the royal solution for the successor to Joachim Löw. The reputation is clearly tarnished, but few in the industry have any fundamental doubts about Flick’s qualities as a coach. “A very good, fine coach,” said former national coach Jürgen Klinsmann about the current incumbent.
Hardly any alternatives: Jürgen Klopp’s advisor referred to the long-term contract of the cult coach at Liverpool. Thomas Tuchel, who is currently unemployed, is likely to be expensive and difficult to get. Watzke once threw out Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund and later said that he was “a difficult person”. Ralf Rangnick, also mentioned, has been spurned by the DFB in the past and has committed himself as the Austrian national coach until 2024.
What speaks for an end for Flick?
Loss of trust: The end for Bierhoff, whom he describes as a friend, obviously hit Flick deeply. The national coach had it spread through the DFB that he found it difficult to imagine how this gap could be closed. Harmony is important to Flick. He left FC Bayern in a dispute with sports director Hasan Salihamidzic. Even as DFB sports director and sports director of TSG Hoffenheim, he threw down prematurely. Now the next frustration retreat could follow.
New beginning: The home EM 2024 could be so important for Neuendorf and Watzke that they force the complete upheaval. Without Bierhoff and without Flick. After three botched tournaments, the European Championship in their own country must not go wrong. The image of German football has already been damaged too much, and the rift between fans and professional football is too deep. Flick’s tactical mistakes at the World Cup and the previously visible sporting downturn with missing the Nations League finals could make his superiors doubt that this national coach is enough for the big hit.
Mortgage: Flick’s credit with the fans is not particularly great. In a “kicker” poll, a slim majority even spoke out against staying in office. When the DFB selection failed in the preliminary round at the 2004 European Championship, team boss Rudi Völler resigned because he did not want to start the path towards the home World Cup 2006 burdened with such an embarrassment. Flick would not have much time to get the football nation back on his side, especially since there are only sportingly meaningless friendly games until the European Championships.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
