National team
Völler: European title 2024 possible – task force continues to work
Presented himself to the media: The new DFB director for the German national football team Rudi Völler. photo
© Sebastian Gollnow/dpa
Rudi Völler becomes the new DFB director for the German national soccer team. The former world champion and team boss is optimistic about the home EM.
Even after the appointment of Rudi Völler as the new managing director of the national soccer team, both working groups set up by the DFB will continue to work.
“This task force will have one or two more ideas over the next few weeks, with which we are trying to stress the DFB’s committees,” said DFL supervisory board chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke at Völler’s presentation in Frankfurt. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf announced that the five business areas and especially the work in the DFB Academy would be put to the test.
DFB structures at a glance
After the World Cup preliminary round in Qatar at the beginning of December and the subsequent resignation of managing director Oliver Bierhoff, Neuendorf founded two working groups. A task force made up of prominent officials led by Watzke and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge put Völler in position as managing director for the A selection up to the home European Championship in 2024. This group now wants to continue working despite the clarification of the most important personal details. Another group around EM chief planner Philipp Lahm has a closer look at the DFB structures.
Völler described his DFB comeback as a “little déjà vu”. As with his appointment as team boss in 2000, everyone around him looked at him and ultimately convinced him. “I still think we have a very good team,” said Völler. The DFB-Elf could “play” for the European title in the summer after next. “I’ll be very happy and energetic,” promised the 62-year-old. His relationship with national coach Hansi Flick is excellent. In a few days he will meet with Flick to exchange views.