Hansi Flick to continue as Germany head coach despite early World Cup exit

Hansi Flick will remain as Germany head coach despite their disappointing group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The four-time world champions were eliminated at the first hurdle for the second successive World Cup after finishing third in Group E behind Japan and Spain.

Germany began their campaign in Qatar with a shock 2-1 defeat against Japan, before drawing 1-1 with Spain and winning 4-2 against Costa Rica in their final match.

However, Die Mannschaft finished behind second-placed Spain on goal difference with La Roja's thumping 7-0 win over Costa Rica ultimately helping them secure a place in the last 16.

A recent report claimed that former Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel had emerged as the frontrunner to replace Flick in the Germany hotseat, while Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has also been linked with the international role.

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However, the German football association (the Deutscher Fussball-Bund or DFB) have announced that Flick will continue as national team manager and will see them through to Euro 2024.

Flick held a "friendly and constructive conversation" with German FA president Bernd Neuendorf and vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke on Wednesday about his future, and both board members have offered their full support to the 57-year-old.

A statement from Neuendorf said: "Together we are convinced that the 2024 European Championships here at home presents an enormous opportunity for football in Germany.

"Our aim is to make this tournament a sporting success. We have full faith that Hansi Flick, along with his team, will together be able to meet this challenge."

Flick added: "My coaching team and I are looking forward to the European Championship here in Germany with optimism.

"As a team, we can achieve a lot more than what we showed in Qatar. We missed out on a big opportunity there, and we will learn our lessons from the experience.

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"I have faith in the path discussed together with Bernd Neuendorf and Aki Watzke today. We all would like to bring the whole of Germany together behind the national team for the home European Championship in 2024."

Flick left Bayern Munich to replace Joachim Low as Germany head coach in August 2021 and he won each of his first eight matches in charge, with his side scoring 33 goals and conceding just two.

However, Flick has since won only three of his last 11 matches at the helm and his Die Mannschaft side have struggled defensively, conceding in 10 games during this run.

Meanwhile, Germany confirmed on Monday that technical director Oliver Bierhoff has had his contract terminated after 18 years in his role with the national team.

Neuendorf said: "With regards to Oliver Bierhoff's successor, we have come to an agreement to first decide within the DFB on the future structure of this area of responsibility, before eventually making a personnel decision."

Germany, who will not be taking part in Euro 2024 qualifiers as they will be hosting the tournament, are expected to return to action during an international break in March next year.