Pressure builds on Germany boss Flick as Japan humiliates Euro 2024 host
Japan humiliated Euro 2024 hosts Germany 4-1 in a friendly international on Saturday, piling the pressure on struggling coach Hansi Flick who defiantly insisted he remains the right man for the job.
Japan, who also contributed to Germany’s group stage exit at the World Cup with a 2-1 win in Qatar last year, scored twice in each half.
The defeat raises more questions over Flick’s future, nine months out from Germany hosting the European Championships.
A “brutally disappointed” Flick refused to back down after the game.
“I think we’re doing well — and I’m the right manager. But I know things can change in professional football and I can’t see what’s to come,” he said.
Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan said simply “we are not good enough right now, it’s a completely bitter day — we all need to ask questions of ourselves.”
Junya Ito and Ayase Ueda scored either side of a Leroy Sane strike in the first half, Jap