BERLIN (AP) — Former Germany striker and coach Rudi Völler is the new sporting director of the men’s team, the German soccer federation said Thursday.
Federation president Bernd Neuendorf and vice president Hans-Joachim Watzke will present Völler as Oliver Bierhoff’s replacement on Friday.
He will officially take office on February 1.
Bierhoff was the first, and so far the only, managerial loss from Germany’s early World Cup elimination in Qatar after agreeing last month to step down after 18 years of managerial roles at the federation. When he finished, Bierhoff oversaw all of the country’s national soccer teams and their academy.
Germany coach Hansi Flick staysin charge of recovering followers in time for the 2024 European Championship organized by Germany.
“Rudi is a solid fixture in German football,” Flick said. “He thrilled the fans as a player, coach and manager. From his experience with the national team and many years of work with Bayer Leverkusen, he is the right person for the upcoming tasks ”.
Völler, whose goals helped West Germany win the World Cup in 1990, made 90 caps for the national team between 1982 and 1994. He was a coach from 2000 to 2004 and helped lead Germany to the World Cup final in 2002.
“The first thing we have to do is lay the foundation, with the support of all of Germany, for a successful European Championship at home,” said Völler. “We have the players for it. From these many top players, we now want to re-form a close-knit unit, a likeable and strong-willed national team with the clear goal of winning back the unconditional support of the fans. ”
Völler, who also has managerial experience as Leverkusen sporting director, was the recommended choice by the Neuendorf-Watzke-appointed task force consisting of Völler himself, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Oliver Kahn, Matthias Sammer and Oliver Mintzlaff. His proposal was approved by the federation committee.
“In Rudi Völler, we have found the ideal person for the next 20 months,” Neuendorf said. “Völler is one of the greats of German football. I really want to work together and I feel positive for Euro 2024.”
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