Hansi Flick intends to remain in charge of Germany for Euro 2024 even if the four-time world champions fail to make it out of the World Cup group stages for the second straight tournament.
Flick, who took over as head coach last year after Joachim Low’s 15 years at the helm, has seen his team lose their Group E opener to Japan before rescuing a 1-1 draw with Spain courtesy of a late equaliser.
Germany exited the 2018 World Cup at the first round, which was at the time their earliest exit in over 80 years, and were eliminated by England at the last-16 stage of last summer’s European Championship.
Flick has become only the second Germany manager to fail to win his first two World Cup games, after Josef Herberger, with none having failed to win their first three in charge. However, he has no plans of stepping down should that happen.
“I don’t know what else will happen, but from my side, my contract runs to 2024 and I’m looking forward to the Euros [which Germany will host],” Flick said.
Germany are with their backs to the wall in their last match against Costa Rica and need a win to have any chance of progressing to the knockout phase. Victory over Costa Rica, who lost 7-0 in their opener to Spain, coupled with a win for Spain against Japan, would see them through along with Luis Enrique’s team.
Should Spain and Japan draw, or even a win for the Japanese, would take the equation to goal difference. “We want to kill off the game early so as to pile pressure on the other group game,” Flick said. “They [Costa Rica] will be defensive most likely. We need to do it and we have to have the attitude we showed against Spain.”
The Central Americans have only had one shot on target in their two matches so far but it was enough to secure victory over Japan. “When you look at the table Costa Rica have a chance to reach the round of 16. A draw, and a win for Spain, is enough for them to advance,” Flick added.
“I expect from Costa Rica a defensive performance as they did it against Japan. We have to find solutions against that. We have the qualification not entirely in our own hands. But what is pressure?... I feel no pressure. Not after the game against Japan either. I am convinced we are on a good path.”
'We're never favourites...which is good'
Costa Rica can pull on their experiences eight years ago when they won their group containing England, Italy and Uruguay. Luis Fernando Suarez, the Costa Rica manager, said: “Eight years have gone by and players have changed but you have good memories.
“Maybe it’s down to the genes of the Costa Ricans. When they reach a World Cup they do things differently and they play well. I’m not just talking about 2014 in Brazil, I think also in Italy 1990 they reached the last 16 when no one believed in them. They are never the favourites, which is good.”