National team
No more patch work? DFB team in alarming condition
National coach Hansi Flick is under heavy pressure after another embarrassment. photo
© Julian Stratenschulte/dpa
The national soccer team is on the ground. Yet again. After the 1:4 against Japan, national coach Hansi Flick has difficult times ahead. Is the DFB sticking with the 58-year-old?
“I think we’re doing well and I’m the right coach,” said Flick. Really? Who still believes in it? Vice world champion France awaits on Tuesday (9 p.m./ARD). Who and what is now asked:
The German Football Association
DFB sports director Rudi Völler, who clearly placed himself ahead of Flick after the disappointments in June and spoke of firm trust and the right path, avoided making any further commitments on Saturday evening. “We would all do well to sleep on it for a night,” said the former team boss. “I’m a little sorry for Hansi Flick about how things turned out.” The 1:4 is a disgrace. “In three days we’ll play against the best team in Europe, that will of course be difficult. But we can’t get too worked up either,” said Völler.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, who was initially reserved when it came to far-reaching decisions and statements, did not spontaneously comment – not a good sign for coaches in the professional football business. At the DFB, the appointment and dismissal of the national coach are not decisions made by individuals, but are always a matter for the committees. Nevertheless: Völler will set the tone.
The options for action
Neuendorf, Völler, the association executive committee, the task force with the old grandees of German football – they have to make the fundamental decision: with or without Flick against France. Finding a successor suitable for the European Championship within a few hours is almost impossible. A temporary solution for France and a restart for the upcoming trip to the USA in October would be conceivable. If Flick stays, he needs a very convincing sense of success against France. But even then the Japan embarrassment will stick.
The names
Several candidates were recently named as possible successors, all with restrictions. Former Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann (36) would be expensive. Jürgen Klopp (56), the preferred candidate for years, is revered at Liverpool FC. Reformer Ralf Rangnick (65) is part of the Austrian national team and is very successful in the neighboring country. Stefan Kuntz (60) trains Turkey. The former successful U21 coach might not be averse to returning to the DFB, even if the association once preferred Flick to him.
The Austrian Oliver Glasner (49), who led Eintracht Frankfurt to the Europa League triumph, is on the market. Matthias Sammer (56) sits on the DFB task force, but had always ruled out a coaching comeback. Could he be persuaded in a national emergency? What about the record national player Lothar Matthäus (62), who is valued as a TV expert and has coaching experience? A comeback by world champion coach Joachim Löw would be an extremely daring DFB solution.
The Japan embarrassment
Flick explained that the team had prepared well and was preparing well – even if it was difficult to understand in Wolfsburg that evening. “We will continue to do that, there is nothing to explain about it. We will continue to do that,” said Flick. “We are convinced of what we are doing. That’s why it continues like this for me.”
Against the motivated and better-adjusted Japanese, what Flick had thought up went dramatically wrong. The new system with Joshua Kimmich as a right-back who repeatedly moved into midfield for the “asymmetric structure” did not work. Flick didn’t correct anything for a long time. Left-back Nico Schlotterbeck, who is completely unfamiliar with this position at Borussia Dortmund, made several serious mistakes, which also led to the first goals conceded.
“You won’t hear me denounce any player. These are things that we discuss internally,” said Flick, who basically spoke of too many individual mistakes. Robin Gosens, who came on for Schlotterbeck, made it 1:3. “Every single person who was on the pitch wants to show a different game against France. That gives me hope, we are now preparing for Tuesday,” said Flick.