KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: Former World Cup-winning centre-forward Rudi Voller has been appointed as new general manager of the German national team.

The 62-year-old, who was a world champion as a player in 1990 and who was later the national coach briefly before Joachim Low will be in charge of overall strategy ahead of the bid by the hosts to win Euro 2024.

Voller said: “After many great years at BayerLeverkusen, I return to the place where I had such wonderful moments as manager. Therefore, I face my new task with the national team with gratitude, passion and great motivation. 

“First of all, we have to lay the foundations for a successful Euro at home in 2024, with the support of all of Germany . We have the players for it. 

“We want to re-form a united group, a selection with willpower, with the clear objective of regaining the unconditional support of our fans.”

Coach Hansi Flick, whose team were eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup in Qatar, said: “Rudi is a constant in German football. With his successes, he has inspired fans as a player, coach and manager.

“Especially because of his experience with the national team and his many years of work at Bayer Leverkusen, he is the right person for the upcoming tasks. My technical team and I are looking forward to embarking together on the journey towards the Euro Cup that will be held at home next year.”

Flick will also be aware that, if he cannot swiftly pull the national team back on track, a possible replacement is working alongside him.

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