The World Cup debacle was repeated in Qatar. Do Oliver Bierhoff or Hansi Flick have to go, or both? DFB boss Neuendorf asks for a tournament analysis.
Munich – The WM 2022 ended for the German Football Association as unhappily as it had begun with the pad discussion and the bankruptcy in Japan. After another preliminary round, the association announced during the night that President Bernd Neuendorf wanted to make a statement on the situation in the football nation at the airport on Friday. Problem: You can only film there if permission has been obtained 48 hours in advance. And so Neuendorf’s two-minute appearance, which was not planned carefully enough, started with a considerable delay – first the Qatari Ministry of the Interior had to give the go-ahead, after consultation with FIFA, of course.
After the head of the association had chosen a somewhat bizarre greeting in view of the situation (“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen – before departure today”), Neuendorf went on to the expected assessment of the catastrophe: “A bitter disappointment” is all that and “extremely painful”, but the association must “look ahead”. An orderly procedure will therefore be initiated on how we deal with this situation” – and that’s where it got interesting: Because in practice, according to Neuendorf, this means that “we have developed a timetable. This stipulates that we will sit down together in the coming week: Hansi Flick, Aki Watzke and myself.” Both Flick and DFB Director Bierhoff have to report to Neuendorf and Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke! (Match schedule for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar)
Bierhoff: “Of course I have no arguments after three bad tournaments”
In a first meeting, it should be determined how the current situation is presented. The DFB leadership expects a comprehensive sporting analysis of the tournament from Flick (57) and Bierhoff (54). At the same time, the duo should show prospects with regard to the European Championship 2024 in their own country. According to Neuendorf, also desired as an analysis: “The development of the National team and our football since the 2018 World Cup. That is a requirement and a claim that we as the association management have of the sporting management in this situation.
With these words, Bierhoff in particular should sit up and take notice in his function as director of the national team and academy. Because unlike Flick, the manager was already in office in 2018 – he has been in the DFB saddle since 2004. Does it perhaps need a change in its position? “I’m not asking myself that question right now,” Bierhoff said coolly in front of the TV cameras immediately after the end of the World Cup, but also explained: “Of course I know that such questions will come up. I’ve been there now for 18 years. Maybe you look at the entire balance sheet, look at it objectively. I’m not too worried about that now. I have a very, very good feeling. With three bad tournaments, of course, I have no arguments. I have to accept that.”
Neuendorf avoided a clear commitment to Bierhoff
Maybe Bierhoff shouldn’t be too sure. Neuendorf avoided a clear commitment when he was asked at the end of his appearance at the airport whether he could rule out personnel consequences: “We take the first step before the second. Analysis means that we evaluate the situation. That’s the task we have to face now.” Only then are decisions made – and heads may roll. In view of the lack of alternatives, Jürgen Klopp has canceled several times, it seems unlikely that it will be that of the national coach.
Flick is heavily criticized, but this comes largely from former national players and today’s football shop talkers – he doesn’t have to worry about his job, he has support in the association. And he still has enough motivation. “From my side there is no reason not to continue,” said the 57-year-old after the worthless Costa Rica win. “It’s fun for me, we have good players coming up, it won’t be my fault. Anyone who knows me knows that we work through it very quickly.”
However, he has to start quickly with his work-up: Carrying on like this will not be enough. Manuel Bonke
