As a consequence of the World Cup debacle, Oliver Bierhoff is leaving the DFB after 18 years. That’s what players, alumni, officials and colleagues say.
The former world champion Per Mertesacker regretted the departure of Oliver Bierhoff as DFB director. “I’m sorry, but these are probably the mechanisms after three tournaments that we weren’t so happy with,” said Mertesacker as a World Cup expert on ZDF. “But he did a lot more than many probably think.” Mertesacker emphasized how important Bierhoff was during his playing days as a national player. “He was someone who always tried to integrate all the players, to help, to be there,” said the former defender. “He pushed a lot, also with the new academy. I find it very sad.”
Christopher Kramer, also a former world champion, described the separation, which the German Football Association (DFB) announced late Monday evening, as “a shame”. He hopes “that he can decide for himself what is right for him”. The professional from Borussia Mönchengladbach revealed that he “personally owes a great deal to Bierhoff”. “I think he’s a really great person who helped make me a national team player and made me a world champion.”
The DFB Vice President and DFL Supervisory Board Chairman Hans Joachim Watzke thanked Oliver Bierhoff, whom he always viewed critically, for his many years of service. “In the 18 years of his work, Oliver Bierhoff has rendered considerable services to German football,” said the managing director of Borussia Dortmund to the sports information service (SID) on Monday evening. He deserves “respect, recognition and thanks,” said Watzke. It is said that Watzke will take on more responsibility for the national team himself in the future.
This text will be updated as more voices become known.