After the World Cup, Hansi Flick is still ruling out a departure as national coach. The departure of his "first point of contact" Oliver Bierhoff seems to make the national coach doubt. Especially since successors are already being discussed. Priority for Bierhoff - still?
The "Bierhoff earthquake" shook Hansi Flick to the core - and raised serious doubts about his future as national coach. After the loss of his closest DFB confidant and friend, Flick is looking forward to the Frankfurt crisis summit on the World Cup disaster with a mixture of defiance and anger. He speaks of "loyalty, team spirit, trust and reliability" - values for which Bierhoff stood like no other. And which he obviously misses sorely at the top of the association around President Bernd Neuendorf and Vice Hans-Joachim Watzke.
"The last few days have not been easy," Flick complained in an extremely critical statement published by the DFB, which reads like the next farewell statement. "My coaching team and I are finding it difficult at the moment," he added, "how the gap created by Oliver's departure can be closed professionally and personally." At least not by Matthias Sammer for the time being. According to consistent reports, the 55-year-old is not available as Bierhoff's successor.
Meanwhile, Flick emphasized that the home European Championship 2024, the dream of a summer fairy tale 2.0, was their "joint project". His dismay is abundantly clear in every sentence. Is the next person in charge preparing for his resignation?
Immediately after the failure in Qatar, Flick ruled out thoughts of leaving before the end of the contract in 2024 - like Bierhoff. Losing the "first point of contact" changes everything. The 57-year-old has to ask himself whether he wants to tackle the mammoth task of the European Championship under a new, strong man at the head of the national team. He feels overwhelmed by the Bierhoff personality. The managing director had inaugurated him on Monday before his step, which surprised the public. But Bierhoff, which is considered an open secret, did not go completely voluntarily - but rather under more or less gentle pressure from Neuendorf and Watzke.
His relationship with Bierhoff was characterized by "invaluable trust", said Flick: "This trust is and will remain the greatest asset in football." Does he enjoy Neuendorf and Watzke, to whom he is supposed to present his first World Cup analysis on Wednesday? And: Does he trust the decision-making duo?
Despite the failure at his first tournament as boss, the national coach has advocates, both internally and externally. "I am convinced that he can lead the national team to a better future," said Lothar Matthäus. Former national coach Jürgen Klinsmann said: "Hansi is a fine coach and person. You can't throw everything overboard now!"
But Neuendorf and Watzke have proven in the personal Bierhoff that they do not shy away from tough decisions. When it comes to the decision to separate, the president is seen as the driver and is trying to position himself as a strong boss. The catchphrase of the "turn of the era" is doing the rounds. Because Watzke is on board, it doesn't take much imagination to imagine the BVB boss ringing his old buddy Jürgen Klopp's bell. The public rejection of his adviser is said not to be the last word.
The gentle euphoria surrounding Flick after Joachim Löw's leaden late phase has fizzled out. The whisperer player has support in the team, but his mistakes are also seen at the top of the DFB. His offended appearance at the press conference before the Spain game is interpreted as a weakness. A national coach must be more than a football teacher and act more confidently. Now Flick has reacted similarly piqued to Bierhoff's departure. If he threatened to resign, he would not be stopped.
The Bierhoff successor has not yet been discussed, the separation, which was approved via video link at a hastily scheduled special meeting of the Supervisory Board of DFB GmbH, was too hectic. But the names of potential heirs have long been publicly discussed.
Sammer, Watzke advisor in Dortmund, suggested Matthäus. According to "Kicker" Fredi Bobic (Hertha BSC) could come. Philipp Lahm would be the logical choice, but he's committed as EM tournament director. Ralf Rangnick has just started in Austria, the available Thomas Tuchel sees himself more as a coach. Quite a few at the DFB long for an "elder statesman" who could air the "apparatus" as an independent spirit. One like Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who ruled out a role at the DFB several times.
Bierhoff, recognized by Neuendorf as an "innovative driver", leaves big footsteps - that's how he sees it. In his statement he referred to his "legacy" academy. "I am convinced that she will make a significant contribution to the development of German football." The conditions are there to be able to "be successful again" at the European Championship. With flick?
