The outcome of the game between Germany and France this evening seems to be of secondary importance for the team. In the midst of an unprecedented sporting and institutional crisis, what matters most in the Federal Republic is who will take over as national coach at the next EURO, which will be held on German soil in just eight months. The fear is palpable.
Interim sports director Rudi Völler will lead the team against France after Hansi Flick was sacked following the painful 4-1 defeat to Japan. However, this is not a long-term solution. Although Jürgen Klopp is considered the favorite, his contract with Liverpool makes his arrival difficult. Julian Nagelsmann is another well-known candidate, but there are financial concerns, according to the AS newspaper.
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It would be an enormous effort
Nagelsmann was released from his position at FC Bayern Munich at the end of March, but his current contract with the Bayern club until 2026 represents an obstacle. In order to appoint him as the new German coach, the German Football Association (DFB) would have to raise a significant sum Bavaria pays. Additionally, the DFB will continue to pay Flick’s salary until the end of his contract next year, which according to German reports is six million euros per year. These costs, together with the costs of Nagelsmann’s transfer, put the DFB in a complicated financial situation.
Time is running out for the team that wants to find a successor for Flick and arouse enthusiasm in Germany before the 2024 European Championship. Rudi Völler, the interim coach, points out how important it is to find a replacement quickly in order to achieve this goal.