BERLIN, Sep 10: Germany removed Hansi Flick as coach of the men’s national football team on Sunday, one day after a 4-1 loss to Japan deepened the gloom around the squad ahead of hosting next year’s European Championship.
The German football federation, known as the DFB, said team director Rudi Voller would be one of three coaches taking joint charge of the next game, a friendly against France on Tuesday in Dortmund.
Germany hasn’t won any of its last five games and was eliminated in the group stage at last year’s World Cup.
Flick said after the loss to Japan that he wanted to stay as coach. Sunday’s announcement came hours after he led the team in a public training session attended by fans.
Germany slumped to a shock 4-1 home loss to Japan in their international friendly on Saturday, deepening the sense of crisis hanging over them after their third straight loss less than nine months before the continental tournament.
Japan scored with their first real chance as Junya Ito silenced the home crowd in the 11th minute.
The hosts bounced back, levelling in the 19th following a superb passing move and a left-footed finish from Leroy Sane.
But their joy was short-lived as the visitors struck again just three minutes later with forward Ayase Ueda.
Ter Stegen denied Japan another goal when Ueda pounced on a defensive error a little later to charge through only to see his shot saved.Asano made amends in the 90th, slotting in to seal their second straight win over Germany before they added another in stoppage time with Ao Tanaka’s header. (PTI)
