December 6 – German team director Oliver Bierhoff has become the first major casualty of their group stage World Cup humiliation after agreeing to leave his post two years before his contract ends.
The former German international forward had been in the job for the last 18 years but was widely criticised in the media following the country’s second consecutive shock early exit at a World Cup.
“In the past four years we haven’t been able to build on previous successes and give the fans reason to celebrate again. Some decisions that we were convinced of did not turn out to be the right ones,” Bierhoff (pictured) said in a statement. “No one regrets that more than me. I take responsibility for that. I am clearing the way for a new direction.”
The Germans had also crashed out of the 2018 World Cup at the same stage, then as defending champions – at the time their earliest exit in 80 years. And they failed to advance past the round of 16 at Euro 2020 last year.
They now need a radical rethink ahead of hosting the next Euros in two years’ time and German football bosses will hold their first meeting on Wednesday to analyse the last couple of weeks and plan improvements.
Bierhoff played a part in helping Germany win the last of their four World Cup titles in 2014 and also scored both goals as Germany beat Czech Republic 2-1 in the final of Euro 96 at Wembley.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said Bierhoff’s efforts would not be forgotten.
“He will always be linked with the World Cup success in Brazil,” Neuendorf said. “Even in turbulent times he always followed goals and visions. Even if the last few tournaments lagged behind the sporting goals that had been set, he will be associated with big moments.”
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