Germany

On Sunday afternoon, the DFB (German Football Association) took the decision to part ways with Hansi Flick after a prolonged run of poor form.

A 4-1 defeat at home to Japan at the weekend made it just four wins from 17 games in all competitions, a run which also included a group-stage exit from the 2022 World Cup.

At a time when they are currently preparing to host the European Championship in 2024, the DFB felt that they needed to act to give themselves the best possible chance of success on home territory.

Since the sacking of Flick, a wide array of names have been linked with the position, one which is now being held by Rudi Voller on a temporary basis.

According to Matt Law of The Telegraph, Nagelsmann and Sammer are both in the frame to be named as Flick's replacement.

The former is an obvious candidate due to his reputation as one of the best young coaches in world football and having most recently been head coach of Bayern Munich.

Nagelsmann was surprisingly sacked in March, his reign at the Allianz Arena coming to an end with 60 wins and 10 defeats being recorded from his 84 matches in charge.

Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain were both credited with an interest over the summer, only for the 36-year-old to remain available for his next job.

That said, one potential stumbling block is money that Bayern will be owed if a team or nation chooses to proceed with appointing Nagelsmann, a consequence of his contractual situation with the Bundesliga champions.

If the DFB went with Sammer, it was represent a shock move, with Sammer having not been the chief incumbent in the dugout since spells with Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart between 2000 and 2005.

Since then, he has been technical advisor with the DFB, sporting director at Bayern Munich and taken on an advisory role at Dortmund.

Law adds that Voller, who is the director of the national team, may stay in charge for a longer period if a deal cannot be reached with any of the DFB's preferred targets.