Germany sack manager Hansi Flick as list of potential replacements emerges

Germany have sacked manager Hansi Flick after the nation's 4-1 defeat to Japan, the German FA has announced.

The loss piled further pressure on the former Bayern boss, who had lost three out of his side's five games since a humiliating World Cup group stage exit last year.

The German FA decided to keep Flick in charge after the tournament, but results have failed to improve.

Now, they have announced that he has been sacked with immediate effect, with attention now turning to recruiting a replacement ahead of Euro 2024, which they host.

In a statement, DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said: "The committees agreed that the senior men's national team needs a new impulse after the recent disappointing results.

"We need a spirit of optimism and confidence with a view to the European Championship in our own country.

"For me personally, it is one of the most difficult decisions in my tenure so far. Because I value Hansi Flick and his co-coaches as football experts and people.

"However, sporting success has top priority for the DFB. Therefore, the decision was inevitable."

Flick was appointed to the role in 2021, after guiding Bayern Munich to the Champions League title - part of a treble that season.

But he failed to continue his success with Germany, and will now be replaced ahead of the next major tournament.

And a list of potential successors has emerged - including some high-profile names.

Who could become next Germany manager?

According to German outlet Bild, there are at least 10 candidates to become the next Germany manager.

They include legendary Germany duo Miroslav Klose and Lothar Matthaus, former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann and ex-Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.

But the most striking potential candidate on the list is Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp - who is described as the 'dream' manager of the DFB.

Klopp has previously ruled himself out of the running for the job when it became available in 2021, but journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft has claimed that Germany may offer him a dual role that would involve staying on at Liverpool.

Other names on the list, meanwhile, include other Germany legends in Rudi Voller and Jurgen Klinsmann - the latter of whom would return for a second spell - and former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. Zidane has been out of work since resigning as Real manager in the summer of 2021.