Hansi Flick sacked as German national team boss following friendly humiliation against Japan

Hansi Flick has been sacked as manager of the German national team, the country's football association (DFB) have announced.

The news comes off the back of a humiliating 4-1 friendly defeat to Japan on Saturday.

The loss was Germany's fourth loss in their last five matches, albeit all of which were friendlies.

Germany host the European Championships next summer and are looking to revive their fortunes on the pitch ahead of the tournament on home soil.

However, the poor run also comes off the back of a disappointing showing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the four-time world champions were eliminated at the group stage.

“The committee agreed that the German national team needs a fresh impetus after the recent disappointing results," said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf in a statemanet. "Going into the European Championship next summer, we need confidence and optimism in the country regarding our team.

"This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make during my time in this role because I really respect Hansi Flick and his assistants, both on a professional and personal level.

"Sporting success is of the upmost importance to the DFB, which is why this decision had to be made.”

Flick, who was appointed in 2021, previously managed Bayern Munich, for whom he oversaw a a treble-winning campaign in 2020, securing the Bundesliga title, German Cup and Champions League.

Germany face France in another friendly match in Dortmund on Tuesday and have announced that Rudi Völler, Hannes Wolf and Sandro Wagner will take temporary charge of the team for the game before a full-time replacement is announced.

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