Outgoing Bayern Munich trainer Hansi Flick is the hot favourite to become Germany’s next head coach after receiving the backing of Oliver Bierhoff, who will ultimately decide Joachim Löw’s replacement, in a podcast on Wednesday.
Flick, Löw’s assistant coach when Germany won the 2014 World Cup, has told Bayern he wants to leave at the end of the season despite winning seven titles in the last 18 months.
Löw will step down after 15 years in charge of Germany after the Euro 2020 finals and last week the German FA (DFB) said they want to speak to Flick about taking over.
In a podcast by German daily Bild, Bierhoff, director of the Germany team, replied “you could say that” when asked if Flick is his favourite to replace Löw.
Bierhoff worked alongside Flick as team manager in Löw’s coaching staff which masterminded Germany’s World Cup triumph in Brazil seven years ago. “Now the way is clear to talk to him. We know each other very well and you don’t have to be a great expert to say that Hansi would make an excellent national team coach,” Bierhoff added.
“Hansi Flick knows the (German Football) Association. He is someone who creates atmosphere and brings people together.”
Bierhoff made it clear he is under no time pressure to name a head coach before their World Cup qualifiers in September.