The DFB have commenced the search for the next Germany manager after sacking Hansi Flick from the job this week.
It’s the first time in the history of the German national team that the head coach has been fired by the country’s football association, following a series of poor results under the former Bayern Munich boss.
With it being just a year until Germany hosts Euro 2024, the need to get the next appointment right is huge. The side has underperformed at nearly every major tournament since winning the Fifa men’s World Cup in 2014, and to do so next summer would be a major embarrassment.
Who is the man to take up the mantle? Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has long been admired by the DFB and it was no surprise to see his name linked with the job again this week. However, his agent has effectively ruled out any chance of him leaving Anfield, although he’s still one of the favourites for the vacant post among bookmakers.
The DFB have never before given the job to a non-German, but that could change after former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal emerged as one of the leading candidates.
It would be genuinely remarkable for a Dutchman to manage Germany given the storied, and at times volcanic, rivalry between the two footballing nations. But he could be the ideal person to take over right now. The squad needs an wisened leader to guide the younger generation of players through this tough period.
Van Gaal has vast experience, is familiar with German football, and did an impressive job with the Netherlands in the 2014 and 2022 World Cups. The 72-year-old officially retired earlier this year, but he has already reneged on retirement once, so he could do so again. However, he recently confirmed that he underwent surgery in a bid to recover from prostate cancer.
Other foreigners have also come into the frame, including Oliver Glasner, who won the Uefa Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt. The Austrian is currently available after doing an excellent job with the Bundesliga outfit.
Ralf Rangnick has been discussed as a potential successor to Flick, although the ex-Red Devils interim head coach says he is not interested in the role. He is currently in charge of the Austrian national team.
Rudi Voller, who has taken temporary charge of the team, is among the favourites to take over on a permanent basis. He’s a popular figure in German football, having led them to the World Cup final in 2002, and oversaw a 2-1 win over France on Tuesday, although he has ruled himself out of the running.
The outright favourite to become the next Germany manager is, of course, Julian Nagelsmann, who is available after being sacked by Bayern earlier this year. The 36-year-old, who was a candidate for jobs at Chelsea and Tottenham earlier this year, is still on the payroll at his former club and the DFB will need to fork out compensation if they want to hire him.
Next Germany manager odds:
Julian Nagelsmann – 11/8
Louis van Gaal – 10/3
Oliver Glasner – 6/1
Rudi Voller – 9/1
Matthias Sammer – 12/1
Jurgen Klopp – 12/1
Ralph Hasenhüttl – 16/1
Zinedine Zidane – 25/1
Miroslav Klose – 33/1
Jurgen Klinsmann – 33/1
Lothar Matthaus – 33/1
Ralf Rangnick – 33/1
