9 months earlier than Euro 2024 kicks off in Germany, the hosts have turned to Rudi Voller to get the workforce again on observe earlier than Tuesday’s pleasant in opposition to France after coach Hansi Flick was sacked.
Flick grew to become the primary Germany coach in historical past to be relieved of his duties after his facet slumped to a 4-1 loss to Japan in Wolfsburg on Saturday, the newest in a run of poor outcomes which included a group-stage exit on the World Cup in Qatar final 12 months.
The German Soccer Affiliation (DFB) have turned to 1990 World Cup winner Voller to take over on an interim foundation for the pleasant in opposition to 2022 World Cup finalists France in Dortmund.
Whereas Voller’s first level of name will probably be to inject some satisfaction and stability into the struggling workforce, his broader job is to proper the ship earlier than subsequent 12 months’s European Championship on residence soil.
Voller was requested in Dortmund on Monday about whether or not the well-known assertion, generally attributed to England’s Gary Lineker, that “soccer is a straightforward recreation with 11 v 11, and Germany wins on the finish” nonetheless rang true.
“These occasions are over,” Voller mentioned. “We have been booted out on the group stage within the World Cup twice in a row.”
“Within the meantime, different nations and associations have caught up.”
‘Pressing job’
Voller, who was a part of the Flick set-up because the DFB’s sporting director, was additionally appointed on an interim foundation after Germany’s disastrous group-stage exit at Euro 2000.
He took the facet all the way in which to the ultimate on the 2002 World Cup, earlier than shedding 2-0 Brazil, however 63-year-old Voller mentioned on Sunday this time he is not going to be within the scorching seat for lengthy.
Talking on Monday, Voller mentioned his appointment was a “one-time factor” and he wouldn’t keep on, whatever the outcome in opposition to France.
“Probably the most pressing job is to rent a nationwide coach who will rapidly get the workforce again on observe and put together us for the massive European Championships subsequent 12 months,” Voller mentioned on Sunday.
He mentioned the sacking was “not a simple second for me … I joined in February to assist Hansi Flick in order that he might be profitable.”
“I firmly believed that as a nationwide coach he might handle to get our workforce again on observe.”
Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan mentioned on Monday the gamers had been feeling “a mix of disappointment, unhappiness and frustration” that their performances price the coach his job.
“I really feel like I let Hansi down and the opposite gamers really feel that method additionally.”
Voller will probably be assisted by Germany Below-20 supervisor Hannes Wolf and former Bayern striker Sandro Wagner.
A number of candidates have been talked about to take the place on a everlasting foundation, with Julian Nagelsmann, who changed Flick at Bayern Munich solely to be sacked in March, believed to be the frontrunner.
Oliver Glasner, who took Eintracht Frankfurt to the Europa League title in 2022 – their first European trophy in 40 years – and Matthias Sammer, who gained the Bundesliga as Borussia Dortmund coach in 2002, have additionally been talked about.
Voller might want to begin by giving the struggling facet some defensive stability.
Germany are winless in 5 matches, having conceded 13 objectives in that point.
Led by a front-line which might embrace the attacking firepower of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Randal Kolo Muani, Marcus Thuram and Kingsley Coman, Tuesday’s opponents France will probably be salivating on the house Germany afforded Japan on Saturday.
Not like Germany, Didier Deschamps males are in blistering kind, having gained their previous 5 Euro 2024 qualifying matches with out conceding a objective.
Deschamps performed alongside Voller within the Marseille facet which gained the 1993 Champions League title. On Monday, Deschamps praised his one-time teammate’s “dynamism and dedication which he nonetheless has.”
“I worth him very a lot,” the Frenchman mentioned. “It is an excellent pleasure for me that I’ll meet him once more on Tuesday.”
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