Berlin (AFP)

New Germany coach Hansie Flick is looking forward to winning over German fans after the setbacks of recent years as he began his duties with the four-time world champion during the next window of the European Football Qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.
Flick accepted his position next to his predecessor Joachim Low with a team that had lost its prestige over the past three years, slipping to 16th in the world rankings, losing its balance and being eliminated from the first round of the world. Cup Russia 2018, and from the final price of the last edition of the European Cup 2020.
Lowe suffered his last international defeat against England in “Euro 2020” (0-2), announcing his resignation after 15 years as head of technical staff before the start of the Continental Championship. Flick worked as his assistant during the coronation of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Flick’s first three matches will take place at the last ground against Liechtenstein on Thursday, when he will return to Stuttgart on Sunday, the Armenian opponent and head of the team, as a guest on Wednesday.
Germany finished third in their group with two wins and one defeat, three points behind leaders Armenia after a historic defeat against Northern Macedonia 1-2 in the third round qualifying round last March.
This is Germany’s first defeat in the World Cup qualifiers since their 1-5 defeat to England in Munich in September 2001, and their third defeat in World Cup qualification history.
After a series of unfinished setbacks in the first round of the World Cup in Russia, Flick’s priority will be to reconcile German fans and deliver beautiful football, but be filled with disappointing results, especially the drastic historic loss against Spain last November in the European Nations League.
“We want to win the hearts of Germans again and offer the desired and beautiful offers,” said Oliver Pierhoff, a former international striker and current manager of Mansoft.
“During the European Cup, we were criticized for our lack of interest and wanted to change this image.”
And the 1996 European Cup-winning champion saw Flick as the right man for the job, noting that he “understands how to carry out his goals, without intimidating anyone, by connecting everyone within the same team and with one goal”.
During two training sessions this week in Stuttgart, Flick began to make clear changes to the gameplay style of the German machine.
“The German national team is under a bit of pressure,” said Manchester City midfielder Ilke Gundogan.
“We want to win three matches, this is our main goal and we look forward to playing matches with a new approach,” he added.
Flix’s philosophy includes improved pressing at the top of the pitch and focusing on counter-attacks, a philosophy that has been successful during his last two years with Bayern Munich, during which time he led the way with a historic six in the 2019-20 season. .
In turn, Borussia Dortmund midfielder and captain Marco Rஸ்s returned after being absent from “Euro 2020.” Hansi began to teach us to play according to his philosophy.
As Lowe did recently, there will be an adjustment in the defensive line by re-trusting four players instead of three.
Senior Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is expected to take over as captain on Thursday, despite missing the last exercises due to an ankle injury.
After playing as a defensive midfielder in the final edition of the Continental Championship, Flick previously pointed out the possibility of involving Chelsea’s Englishman Guy Howards as an outspoken striker.