The German national team is renowned for their football history and culture, they have a good pedigree over the decades. Champions, legends of the game, Ballon d’Or winners and iconic moments have shaped their heritage. But what truly sets them apart is their penchant for tradition – a tradition that echoes in the quiet corridors of football management.
With the recent sacking of Hansi Flick there has been rumours of Louis van Gaal taking over the job, this would make it very interesting as he would be the first and only non Germany man to manager their national team, LVG said this ‘I’m honoured to be named as one of the candidates. But no foreigner has ever been chosen for the position of national team coach in Germany’ as much as I would like van Gaal to be the German national manager, I just dont see them breaking a 100 tradition, we going to take a look at some of the important German manager who has taken charge over the years.
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Historical Context German Manager
Back in 1926, a pivotal moment in football history unfolded. The Germany national football team, with certain goals in their sights, they wanted to be considered one of the greatness team. The players was picked by a committee.
The early years were a whole different ball game. No manager to steer the ship, no tactical guru calling the shots. Instead, it was a committee, the puppeteers behind the scenes, orchestrating the team’s moves. Otto Nerz is considered to be the first German manager in their history, from 31 Oct 1926 to 17 Oct 1936 a very respectable 75 games and 61% win rate, was a former player then he turnt to be a manager.
In the days of yore, when football was young and its future uncertain, the committee held the reins. Little did they know this would somehow becomes a tradition and shape their history.
After World War II and Rebuilding Phase
After the World War II, the Germany national football team had to rebuild their squad and management. It was a time when the national team has to be like a phoenix and rise from the ashes. During the rebuild phase it was the steady hands of managers like Helmut Schön and Jupp Derwall that guided them through the rebuilding phase.
Helmut Schön managed them from 4 Nov 1964 to 21 Jun 1978, 139 games and 62 win% he was tactician, took charge and began laying the foundation for football. During his reign German won European Championship 1972 then World Cup 1974 came 2nd in Euro 76′. But one of the most important things was he gave debuts to 98 footballers in 12 years.
Jupp Derwall continued Schön mission on winning and integrating youth into the squad. He steered the team to victory in the European Championship in 1980 and came 2nd in World Cup final in 82. Derwall took over 11 Oct 1978 to 20 Jun 1984 not as long as Schön, but impact nevertheless, 67 games and 65% win and importantly 46 new players into that team.
Beckenbauer Odyssey and Löw Modern Mastery
Franz Beckenbauer, Ballon d’Or winner was going to take charge of national team. The football legend, took over from Derwall in 12 Sep 1984 to 8 Jul 1990 66 games with 51% win rate. Beckenbauer is one of 3 men to have won the Cup as player and as manager the other 2 are Mario Zagallo and Didier Deschamps.
Beckenbauer pretty much jumped straight into the deep end he had no prior coaching experience, yet it was something new in the team. His strategic awareness and his footballing knowledge of the game really helped him, they came 2nd in World Cup 86 and then semi-finalists of 1988 Euro. He ultimately won the World Cup 90.
In recent era, Joachim Löw took the helm, shaping the Germany national football team into a modern football powerhouse. His tenure from 16 Aug 2006 to 29 Jun 2021 is one of the longest manager served 198 games, 124 wins with a 62% win. Joachim played an attacking style of football, Löw and his team reached the semi-finals of the European Championship 08, 3rd in 2010 World Cup, Euro 2012 semi-finalists, secured the World Cup title in 2014, semi-finalists again in Euro 2016 then 2018 World Cup group stages, Euro 2020 last 16. During his time he brought 113 new players into the squad this was one of the highest in the history.
Hansi Flick stepped in from 2 Sep 2021 to 10 Sep 2023, 25 games managed and 48% win rate, this is probably one of the lowest in their entrie history, he gave debuts to 14 players. Unfortunately Flick wasnt good enough and his sacking has left fans and pundits pondering the next chapter in the team’s managerial saga.
This is a really good tradition to have, who has a better understand in the history of the nation, A non German person or a home-grown German who probably has played or coached in the league and knows and experienced the whole German philosophy.
Catch you in the next one.