Flick signs Germany job, rejecting Barca and Real offers

2021-05-25 12:35:55 GMT2021-05-25 20:35:55(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Hansi Flick has ended all speculation about his future. The 56-year-old signed a contract with the German association until 2024.

The departing Bayern coach follows in the footsteps of 2014 world champion Joachim Low, taking over the German job after the delayed Euro 2020 in July.

All attempts made by Spanish giants such as FC Barcelona and Real Madrid to convince Flick to continue his club career failed.

Despite having taken up Spanish lessons for a while, Flick decided to join the German team as he feared facing language problems when joining a side abroad.

"Things aren't that easy when it comes to a new language," the former Bayern midfielder said.

Flick is said to earn up to 6.5 million Euros per season and lead the German team at least until the European Championship 2024 hosted by Germany.

The designated Germany coach left the 2020 treble winners due to in-house struggles with the Bavarians sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

Having won seven titles in only 19 months made him one of Europe's most sought-after coaches.

Taking the job as national coach lets Flick meet old companions such as national team director Oliver Bierhoff and several assistant coaches.

Details had to be solved over the past days as the former German assistant coach (2006-2014) and association sporting director (2014-2017) insisted to only report to Bierhoff.

"I am extremely thankful to Bayern and former coach Niko Kovac as they gave me the chance to return as a coach after my jobs for the association and the TSG Hoffenheim," Flick said about his incredible career up to the very top of coaching.

"Two years ago, it was only in my mind to return to coaching, and I was happy about the assistant job at Bayern," he added.

Taking over a struggling team back in November 2019 from Kovac, Flick lead Bayern back to glory.

After Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola (2009), he became the only coach to win the so-called sextuple, which contains all six possible titles within a season.

In the 2020-21 season, the four-times German Champion (as a player) added another national title, Bayern's 9th consecutive national title.

Reports talk of Barcelona's intense efforts to sign Low as a possible successor of current coach Ronald Koeman. Barca president Joan Laporta is said to have contacted Flick in several video calls.

Flick's statements indicated he favors the job as a national coach. The departing Bayern coach said he would return to his family house in Bammental near Heidelberg despite having felt comfortable in Munich.

"I know what I get and can expect when it comes to the association job," Flick stated.

After Flick's announcement to leave Bayern despite his until 2023 valid contract, Bayern signed Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann. Aside Flick, Bayern is losing his long-term assistant coaches Miroslav Klose and Hermann Gerland. Enditem

| PRINT | RSS