Bang in the top of the bandage
Bierhoff throws after the World Cup debacle at the DFB
12/05/2022, 10:21 p.m
Oliver Bierhoff and the German Football Association go their separate ways. The DFB reports this. The managing director of national teams and academies terminates his contract prematurely. It is the consequence of the recent debacle of the German national team at the World Cup.
It’s over after 18 years: Oliver Bierhoff is leaving the German Football Association (DFB). This was announced by the association. The reason is the recent debacle at the World Cup in Qatar. Bierhoff was most recently “Managing Director National Teams and Academy” at the association.
He is “clearing the way for setting new directions,” said Bierhoff, according to the announcement. The DFB committees are to discuss the succession plan. Bierhoff’s contract originally ran until 2024. “Some decisions that we were convinced of did not turn out to be the right ones. Nobody regrets that more than I do. I take responsibility for that.”
Immediately after the preliminary round, Bierhoff held on to his position and ruled out resigning. A meeting with Neuendorf, Vice Hans-Joachim Watzke, national coach Hansi Flick and Bierhoff in Frankfurt/Main was scheduled for Wednesday. He got ahead of that. It is not yet clear what the consequences of Hansi Flick’s resignation as national coach will be.
In the four days since the end of the World Cup, a number of critics had called for Bierhoff’s replacement, including Lothar Matthäus. “We’ve had bad years, Oliver Bierhoff is on board – and you have to question Oliver Bierhoff,” he told ntv.
“He stands for great moments”
“It was an intensive, exciting and instructive time in which we were able to celebrate great successes together, had to deal with setbacks and were able to implement extraordinary projects,” said the former international. “My job was teamwork from the first to the last day. I would like to sincerely thank all the people who supported me during this time with their commitment, their ideas and their passion.”
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said: “Oliver Bierhoff has rendered great services to the DFB. Even if the last tournaments fell short of the sporting goals, he stands for great moments. His work will forever be remembered with the World Cup success in Brazil stay connected.” He emphasized: “Even in turbulent times, he always pursued his goals and visions and left a lasting mark on the DFB. I would like to thank Oliver Bierhoff on behalf of the DFB employees for everything he has done for us and for football in Germany.”
DFB Vice-President Hans-Joachim Watzke also thanked Bierhoff for his work: “In the 18 years of his work, Oliver Bierhoff has rendered considerable services to German football,” said the managing director of Borussia Dortmund. He deserves “respect, recognition and thanks”.
Foreclosure is also his responsibility
As a professional, Bierhoff himself became European champion with the DFB and scored the decisive goal for the title in 1996. After he ended his professional career, he came to the DFB in 2004 – and was given a role that had never existed before. As team manager alongside the then new national coach Jürgen Klinsmann, he played a key role in the creation of the summer fairy tale at the 2006 home World Cup. During his tenure there were six world and European championships in a row with at least reaching the semi-finals, as well as the 2014 World Cup title. Most recently, however, both the 2018 World Cup and the most recent debacle came in the group phase.
His reputation has suffered since the 2016 European Championship at the latest, his marketing concepts have been criticized, and the slogan “The team” in particular has been sneered at. Most recently, the new DFB academy was a matter close to his heart. But even with quarters he did not always have a lucky hand. The 2018 World Cup quarters in Vatutinki became a symbol of the German collapse. This year’s Zulal Wellness Resort in Qatar also attracted a lot of criticism, as the national team completely isolated itself and stayed away from fans, journalists and the public. That further damaged the reputation of the DFB team.
Bobic acted as successor
Despite all the criticism, the news late on Monday evening also hit the experts unexpectedly. “I’m very surprised because I thought they would now go into the objective analysis and give themselves time until Wednesday,” said women’s national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg as a guest on ZDF after the round of 16 game between Brazil and South Korea. “I’ve had close contact with Oliver Bierhoff over the last few years. He was with us, took up our topics and conveyed them. I’m a bit speechless.”
The 2014 world champions Christoph Kramer and Per Mertesacker, also experts in the ZDF studio, were shocked: “I’m sorry, but these are probably the mechanisms after three tournaments that we weren’t so happy with,” said Mertesacker. “But he did a lot more than many probably think.” Kramer felt that the resignation was “a shame”. He hopes “that he can decide for himself what is right for him”.
According to “Kicker” Fredi Bobic is traded as a successor. He has been the sporting director of Bundesliga club Hertha BSC since 2021. The 51-year-old played 37 international matches as a professional for Germany and became European champions together with Bierhoff in 1996.