Germany’s football team went through yet another torrid FIFA World Cup 2022 as they were knocked out in the group stage itself. The 2014 champions failed to qualify for the Round of 16 after they had lost to Japan and drew with Spain in their opening two matches in Qatar. Now, Germany Football Association (DFB) sporting director Oliver Bierhoff has stepped down from his position.
This is the 2nd consecutive World Cup that Germany crashed out in the group stages itself. The country had the same fate in the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia as well. Oliver Bierhoff, who has been holding the sporting director position for 18 years, will now no longer be part of the association.
The football management of Germany faced a lot of flak and criticism for their premature exit from the FIFA World Cup 2022 and following mutual consent with the association, Oliver Bierhoff has stepped down.
“Oliver Bierhoff has won a lot of merits for the DFB. Even if the last few tournaments lagged behind the sporting goals that had been set, he will be associated with big moments,” DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said.
“He will always be linked with the World Cup success in Brazil,” he added.
Oliver Bierhoff’s Germany crashed out despite a win against Costa Rica
Even though Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 in their last FIFA World Cup 2022 game, they crashed out after they were tied with Spain on goal difference. Since Spain had a better goal difference, courtesy of their crushing 6-0 victory against Costa Rica, they advanced to the next round.
Notably, under the tutelage of Director Oliver Bierhoff, Germany also failed to get past the Round of 16 stages in the Euro 2020 tournament. The team lost to England 0-2 in the Round of 16 games and crashed out of the Euro 2020 tournament. Germany had also lost to France and drew with Hungary in their Euro 2020 campaign.
