Germany head coach Hansi Flick's role hangs in the balance
Germany head coach Hansi Flick’s role ‘hangs in the balance as Die Mannschaft prepare for upcoming friendlies against Japan and France’ – as the former Bayern Munich boss rolls the dice by calling up Thomas Muller and SNUBBING Leon Goretzka
- The manager weathered a dismal World Cup campaign and group stage exits
- Results during the June internationals failed to breed confidence in supporters
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off
Hansi Flick’s future in charge of the German national team could hinge on success against France and Japan, according to reports.
The head coach has overseen a tumultuous run of form for Die Mannschaft in the wake of their dismal World Cup peformance in Qatar at the end of 2022.
After crashing out in the group stages amidst heavily criticism alleging too much of the team’s focus had been centred around politics instead of football, Germany have failed to impress in subsequent international ties.
As hosts of the 2024 European Championships, Germany have not had to play qualifiers for the competition this year, but have seen out a string of torrid results against a range of different opponents.
Since December, Germany has only registered two wins – against Peru and Belgium – and lost to Colombia and Poland, as well as drawing 3-3 with Ukraine.
Hansi Flick’s Germany must impress during their two upcoming friendlies this September
Candidates are already being considered to take over from the former Bayern boss, and the short list includes Julian Nagelsmann
Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner is also being considered by the German FA should they move on from Flick
As per BILD, Flick’s inability to secure successive wins for the side could lead to the German FA looking elsewhere for leadership.
It is thought that the organisation is already considering replacements, including the former Bayern Munich coach who replaced Flick, Julian Nagelsmann.
Whilst Nagelsmann is a free agent after he was fired by the Bundesliga champions in March, the FA are also considering Eintracht Frankfurt’s Oliver Glasner, who is contracted to the side until May 2024.
Matthias Sammer, currently an adviser at Borussia Dortmund, is also said to be another option should Flick be dispatched before next year’s competition.
But Flick is content to scrap to stay in the position, and has made a number of radical decisions as he prepares for friendly ties this week and next against Japan and France.
Your browser does not support iframes.
One of these involves omitting Leon Goretzka’s name from the squad, and Flick is believed to have travelled to the player’s club, Bayern, in person to inform him of his decision.
Flick allegedly also discussed the decision with Goretzka’s club coach, Thomas Tuchel, to come to the decision, although the head coach has informed both Goretzka and fellow snubbed player Timo Werner that the door ‘is not closed’ to either.
The manager also opted to recall veteran World Cup winner Thomas Muller, who was not expected to take part in international action until the October friendlies, when Germany face the United States.
Muller steps into the role vacated by Niclas Fullkrug, who is currently recovering from a tendon injury.
Flick (left) is keen to move on from a difficult string of results, including losses against Poland and Colombia
The head coach has recalled Thomas Muller despite planning on waiting until October to do so
But there is no place for Bayern’s Leon Goretzka (right) in the squad for the September games
For his part, however, Goretzka said that he was ‘surprised’ and ‘disappointed’ not to be included in the September squad.
Sharing a statement on social media, the 28-year-old continued: ‘You know how proud I am to play for Germany. I’m extremely disappointed by the surprising decision not to be there in September.’
‘The last few weeks in particular have felt really good again and I was really looking forward to making my contribution to the national team so that we can get back on the road to success as a team.
‘You all deserve it, all of Germany deserves it! At the same time, I have to accept the coach’s decision and will continue to work hard every day to build on our good start to the season.’
IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.
It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.
Your browser does not support iframes.
Source: Read Full Article