On Tuesday, the German Football Federation announced that Bayern Munich manager, Hans-Dieter Flick, has signed a deal to become the head coach of the German national football team.

Flick signs for Germany

On Tuesday, the German Football Federation confirmed rumours that had been swirling around the world of football: Hans-Dieter Flick would be taking over the role of head coach of the German men's national football team after the European Championships this summer, ending the fifteen-year reign of Joachim Löw.

"It all happened surprisingly quickly for me with the signing, but I am very happy to be able to work as a national coach from the autumn," Flick said. "My anticipation is huge because I see the class of the players, especially the young players in Germany. We have every reason to approach the upcoming tournaments, for example, the home European Championship in 2024, with optimism."

Bayern has signed RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann as Flick’s replacement.

A new start for German football

Flick, who hails from Heidelberg in Baden-Württemberg, leaves Bayern Munich with one of the greatest winning records in the modern game. Since assuming the role of manager in November 2019, Flick has won seven trophies, including an invincible performance in the 2019-20 Champions League which was just one part of a treble-winning season. He took charge of 86 Bayern games, winning 70 of them and only losing 7 games during his whole tenure. For his efforts, he won UEFA’s prestigious Coach of the Year award in October 2020.

Flick’s contract will reportedly run until 2024 when Germany is scheduled to host the European Championships. Flick will therefore lead the team into the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he will be among familiar faces, including Bayern players like Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller.

"He was at the top of my wish list from the very beginning," said the DFB's national team director, Oliver Bierhoff. "I have known and appreciated Hansi Flick's human and professional qualities since our many successful years together with the national team. During his time at Bayern Munich, he showed where he can lead a team as head coach."