Bierhoff Spills the Tea on Flick's Resignation Threat
After Germany's underwhelming performance at the 2022 World Cup, Oliver Bierhoff had to step down from his role at the DFB. And one man wasn't too happy about it – Hansi Flick. In a recent podcast, Bierhoff revealed that Flick threatened to quit as national coach due to Bierhoff's departure. But Flick, known for his loyalty, eventually agreed to carry on.
In the "Spielmacher" podcast, Bierhoff shared that Flick expressed his dismay over Bierhoff's departure by saying, "Oliver, I'll fight it out, I'm saying this, I won't continue without you." Bierhoff responded diplomatically, saying, "Hansi, it doesn't make sense, you have to carry on."
Flick and Bierhoff have a history of loyalty and trust. When Flick was appointed as Joachim Löw's successor in 2021, he promised, "I'll do it – but you'll carry on?" Bierhoff acknowledged that he wouldn't have been able to support Flick during his "weakened position" following the World Cup fiasco. But Flick's anger was evident in his statement following Bierhoff's departure, which Bierhoff considered to be a "conflict."
Despite the rough patch, Bierhoff thinks highly of Julian Nagelsmann, Flick's successor. Nagelsmann, whose appointment had Bierhoff's approval, now has the task of leading Germany to the 2024 European Championship at home. Bierhoff, despite his concerns for Germany's enthusiasm for the tournament, remains optimistic about the team's chances, putting the probability of triumph at 66%.
But there's More to the Story...
Bayern Munich, led by Hansi Flick, are on a roll, with almost a guaranteed top-three finish in the Champions League. This hints at Flick's capability as a coach. Bierhoff, although no longer with the DFB, has moved on to advising the American football team of the New England Patriots since October.
It's worth noting that the article does not touch upon Bierhoff's feelings about Julian Nagelsmann. For a more in-depth look at their relationship and Bierhoff's concerns leading to the 2024 European Championship, it's advisable to check out recent sports news articles or interviews.
Footnote:
Behind the Scenes: Hansi Flick's Threat and Bierhoff's Departure
Bierhoff throws light on Flick's threat to quit the national team coaching job due to the departure of his trusted confidant, Bierhoff. Flick's loyalty towards Bierhoff is revealed when he says, "Oliver, I'll fight it out, I'm saying this, I won't continue without you."
Despite the threat, Bierhoff manages to convince him to carry on, with the intention of supporting Flick and Germany's journey towards the 2024 European Championship. Flick's appointment as Löw's successor, coupled with Bierhoff's continued role, helped to ensure the stability of the German team leading up to the tournament.
However, Bierhoff left the DFB following the team's disappointing World Cup performance. Flick expressed his disapproval, but Bierhoff saw the incident as a sign of Flick's refusal to agree with the situation and his strong belief in Bierhoff's value to the team and to the DFB.
The Future of the German Team
Bierhoff remained confident in the potential of Julian Nagelsmann, Flick's successor, citing that he would have also selected Nagelsmann as coach. Bierhoff continued his optimism by estimating the probability of Germany winning the European Championship at 66%. Despite the challenging mood in the country before the 2024 European Championship, Bierhoff believes in the power of the German team to rise above challenges and create a stir in the soccer community.
