Joachim Low is not only a household name in Germany but all over the world. A manager known for his attacking style of football has many times guided Die Mannschaft to silverware. The 2014 World Cup in South America or the 2017 Confederations Cup, he has a mind of a genius.
But after being the main force behind Germany’s success on the international level, the mastermind has decided to call it a day. A below-par performance in the 2018 World Cup raised a few questions on Low’s future.
And though he was still given the freedom, he hasn’t been able to completely revolutionalize German football, something that he had done before 2014.
Bayern Munich’s treble-winning manager Hansi Flick has been bestowed upon the duty of the German National team. Joachim Low, the current captain of the ship, will be relieved of his duties after European football’s biggest carnival, the Euro 2020.
💬 "I'm really happy to be the new Germany head coach!" 🇩🇪
A familiar face returns, with Hansi #Flick signing a contract that includes the 2022 World Cup and EURO 2024 👉 https://t.co/GbuNEauUb4#DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/94wqJI55ib
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) May 25, 2021
Hansi Flick has been nothing short of a legend at his time at Allianz Arena. Under his guidance, the Bavarians were crowned champions of Germany and Europe in the same season. And the unbelievable run in Europe last campaign made them an unbeatable outfit.
A NEW ‘LOW’ IN GERMAN FOOTBALL
But why did Germany need a change in top management? The simple answer to that is lately they have been poor whenever they have been on the pitch. A string of disappointing performances in the 2018 World Cup saw the reigning champions return home from the group stage.
They think it’s all over, it is now! Sorry Germany 🇩🇪🙃 #KORGER #MEXSWE pic.twitter.com/XF1AUZeauY
— ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (@FIAFormulaE) June 27, 2018
And since then the footballing world knew Low’s time had come. But instead of him being axed a few senior players were shown the exit door. The likes of Thomas Muller and Jerome Boateng, once a fulcrum of the national team, couldn’t find their place in Low’s roadmap.
On the way to qualifying for the Euros, Germany were placed in a comparatively easy group. With only La Oranje being some sort of a challenge for Low’s squad.
And in the 2 games, they came face-to-face with each other, the wins were split. But Germany needed a last-minute effort from Schulz to grab them three points otherwise the story would have been different.
And who can forget how Luis Enrique’s Spain brought down the German castle in one of the most mouth-watering football encounters. The two former World Champions locked horns in the La Cartuja Stadium in Sevilla where a Ferran Torres hat trick proved too much for Low’s squad.
La Furia Roja demolished their rivals 6-0 as the footballing world couldn’t believe their eyes. And once again Low’s tactics and formations were under the scanner. Blacklisting ace defenders Boateng and Hummels meant Low had an inexperienced backline and Spain took complete advantage of this
FT: 🇪🇸Spain 6-0 Germany🇩🇪
WOW.
Ferran Torres becomes the first Spanish player ever to score a hat-trick vs Germany, as Spain inflict Germany's heaviest ever official competitive defeat 😯
Spain will be present at next year's UEFA Nations League semi-finals 🏆#LLL
🧡🇪🇸⚽️ pic.twitter.com/YwtkhNzSYA— La Liga Lowdown 🧡🇪🇸⚽️ (@LaLigaLowdown) November 17, 2020
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Werner who’s nothing short of a number-9 was given the role of the winger and too much responsibility was thrown on the shoulders of Gundogan and Goretzka as they slipped.
So a lack of experience in the middle of the pitch, some questionable tactics, and foolish selections have been the main reason for Germany’s poor run of form after Russia.
#EURO2020 squad facts 🤓
👀 Record hunt for @esmuellert_ & @Manuel_Neuer
👶 A new youngest tournament player?
⏳ The longest wait between capsFind out more 👉 https://t.co/jr1yxFbd35#DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/ANdIYxU9yq
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) May 20, 2021
After tons of boos and questions from fans and pundits, Low has decided to call back a few adroit campaigners who can provide the necessary balance the squad needs. But once again these players will have to start from scratch and with no friendlies to give them the stability, Low might have invited headaches himself.
A NEW GERMAN ‘FLICK’
Remember when Germany bagged their fourth star on their Jersey in Brazil lifting the world’s biggest competition. Flick was Low’s understudy at that point in time and now he’ll be filling in the boots of the heroic manager.
A worthy successor 🏆🇩🇪#DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/c9PRdeZRsA
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) May 25, 2021
Bundesliga has always been a league that has been dominated by Bayern Munich for years now. Unless Germany produces a fairytale story, Bayern Munich is the one who were crowned Champions of Germany. But their ship did hit an iceberg last campaign and that’s where Hansi Flick turned out to be a saviour for the Bavarians.
A depleted Bayern squad was soon crowned Champions of Europe, beating Spanish giants Barcelona 8-2 in the semi-finals. An astonishing result put Hansi Flick in the same brackets as Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho. And Hansi Flick might be the perfect candidate to replace the legendary Low at Die Mannschaft.
Hansi Flick’s main style of play revolves around the midfield. A German roster that has millions of midfielders, Flick’s time at Germany might turn out to be quite successful.
He’s magnificent trust on veteran Thomas Muller and Jerome Boateng because of the time he has spent with them at Bayern. So even if they are still blocked by Low in the Euros, Flick’s arrival won’t keep them benched for too long.
Joshua Kimmich has turned out to be a complete beast in the past few years. The pivotal man around which the team revolves, Kimmich knows how to get out of tight spaces and how to create the perfect buildups. And one again Flick has faith in the German midfielder who can be a starter in Flick’s team sheet.
Last but not least a dominant team in world football, Germany has been lacking the winning mentality. Under Low, they have been naive and have turned out to be an easy target with a lot of holes to fill. But Flick’s appointment means that the Low’s ex-assistant might instil that fearless style of play once again.
The lion-hearted players need to come out of their den once again if they want to be called jungles of the land and there’s no one better than Flick to lead the pack.
CONCLUSION
Euro 2020 is just around the corner and every team has begun with its preparations. And one team that would attract everyone’s eyes is Low’s Germany. Not to forget that Flick’s tenure at Germany starts after the Euros. So Low might have another chance at silverware this summer. Whatever the result is Germany will look for a resurrection even if Low takes them all the way and Flick will surely have a roadmap laid in front of them.