Sport Flick successor
Dietmar Hamann’s plea for Felix Magath
Status: 11.09.2023 | Reading time: 3 minutes
“Basketball players won the World Cup and then they broke in with their report”
After the embarrassment against Japan, the DFB pulled the ripcord and fired Hansi Flick. However, the announcement shortly after the basketball players’ World Cup triumph caused anger. “It’s all a bit inappropriate, without sensitivity,” criticizes Jimmy Hartwig.
The personnel debate about the successor to the national coach is calling the experts into the spotlight. While many people are in favor of Matthias Sammer, Dietmar Hamann has a completely different idea. Basketball in particular serves as a role model.
Former national player Dietmar Hamann has suggested Felix Magath as the new national football coach. “That’s exactly the kind of man we need. And I could imagine that Felix would do that immediately,” the Sky expert told the German Press Agency: “That wouldn’t be a popular decision, Magath’s reputation hangs over him like a cloud. But respect and discipline never hurt anyone. And everywhere Felix was, he was successful.” Stefan Effenberg had also played the name Magath in the Sport1 one-two the day before. “He’s one of the old guard and can be unpleasant – for me that’s worth considering,” Effenberg said.
The fact that Magath, who became champion in the Bundesliga with FC Bayern and VfL Wolfsburg, is already 70 is no obstacle for Hamann. “For us, scientists and theorists have taken over football. A lot of it sounds wonderful, but it’s not practical.”
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Numerous experts had previously spoken out in favor of Matthias Sammer as a suitable candidate. Former national player Gerald Asamoah, for example, could “well imagine” Sammer as a coach. First until the European Championships in Germany and then we’ll look further. Sammer would certainly be a very, very suitable and recognized personality for the current situation who could provide new impetus.”
“My preferred candidate would be Matthias Sammer because he embodies a lot of what the German team is currently missing,” said former national striker Kevin Kuranyi. Lothar Matthäus also stated that he had information that Sammer was ready.
Hamann’s reference to basketball
Hamann, on the other hand, also referred to the final of the Basketball World Cup: “Our coach is 64, Serbian coach Svetislav Pesic is even 74. And Felix is as fit as if he were 20 years younger.” After Magath, according to Hamann, the DFB would have to “at some point get a foreigner. We always think we are the best, but nothing is moving forward. That’s why it would help us tremendously if someone from the outside took a look at it.”
Doesn’t shy away from unpopular opinions: Dieter Hamann, who has been an expert at “Sky” for many years
Source: dpa/Sven Hoppe
When Flick was given leave of absence, which Hamann clearly requested in March, “eight or nine months were wasted,” said the 50-year-old: “Time is short now, and it certainly won’t be any easier to find a trainer than it was Summer or after the World Cup.” For Hamann, sports director Rudi Völler, with whom he became vice world champion in 2002 as team leader, stepping in for the game against France on Tuesday (9 p.m./ARD) is “the only solution. There’s no point in rushing into anything.”
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Völler “did it excellently” more than 20 years ago. But it was a different time.” This is also why Hamann does not believe that Völler wants to take over the position until the European Championships. “If they don’t find anyone, Rudi would be enough of a team player to carry on,” said Hamann: “But I can’t imagine that he has a great desire for it.”
