text: [{"text_idx": "#000004", "text": "Hansi Flick became the first and only German head coach to be sacked since the position was created in 1926. (AP pic)"}, {"text_idx": "#000005", "text": "BERLIN: Germany have sacked coach Hansi Flick just nine months from hosting Euro 2024 after yesterday\u2019s humiliating 4-1 defeat to Japan, the German Football Association (DFB) announced today."}, {"text_idx": "#000006", "text": "Flick became the first and only German head coach to be sacked since the position was created in 1926."}, {"text_idx": "#000007", "text": "Sporting director Rudi Voller, who coached the side to a 2002 World Cup final against Brazil, will take over on an interim basis."}, {"text_idx": "#000008", "text": "DFB boss Bernd Neuendorf said the sacking was \u201cunavoidable\u201d after the team\u2019s recent run of \u201cdisappointing\u201d results."}, {"text_idx": "#000009", "text": "In a statement, Neuendorf said \u201cwith a view towards the European championships in our own country, we need a spirit of optimism and confidence\u201d, saying the decision was one of his \u201cmost difficult so far.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000010", "text": "Voller is reportedly unlikely to lead Germany to Euro 2024."}, {"text_idx": "#000011", "text": "Out-of-work manager Julian Nagelsmann, who previously replaced Flick as Bayern Munich manager, has been touted as a possible replacement ahead of the tournament."}, {"text_idx": "#000012", "text": "Former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner, out of work since May, has also been named as a possible successor."}, {"text_idx": "#000013", "text": "The Germans were thoroughly outclassed by the Samurai Blue on home soil in the friendly in Wolfsburg, with only some acrobatic goalkeeping from Marc-Andre ter Stegen preventing the score from eclipsing 2001\u2019s 5-1 loss to England in Munich."}, {"text_idx": "#000014", "text": "Germany have now lost four of their last six matches since their early exit from the World Cup in December."}, {"text_idx": "#000016", "text": "The home fans booed the German team at half-time, with some chanting \u201cHansi out\u201d at the end of the match."}, {"text_idx": "#000017", "text": "Germany have been historically reluctant to make drastic changes to the coaching position, with none of Flick\u2019s predecessors sacked."}, {"text_idx": "#000019", "text": "Fresh off taking Bayern Munich to seven trophies in just 18 months in charge, Flick was victorious in his first eight matches as Germany boss."}, {"text_idx": "#000020", "text": "Since then he has won just four of 17 matches and presided over a group-stage exit at the Qatar World Cup."}, {"text_idx": "#000021", "text": "Flick was bullish after yesterday\u2019s latest loss, telling reporters he \u201cwas convinced of what we are doing\u201d and \u201cwanted to continue\u201d in the top job."}, {"text_idx": "#000022", "text": "Today at a training session following the Japan rout, Flick told fans \u201cI\u2019ll keep fighting\u201d, but admitted to AFP subsidiary SID \u201cmany things are difficult to predict\u201d in football."}, {"text_idx": "#000023", "text": "Voller said after the match emotions were running too high to make an immediate call on Flick\u2019s future."}, {"text_idx": "#000024", "text": "\u201cI suggest we collect ourselves and sleep on it,\u201d Voller said, explaining \u201cwe are all a little in shock...a defeat like that hurts.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000025", "text": "Taking over as interim boss in 2000, Voller coached Germany to the final of the 2002 World Cup where they lost 2-0 to Brazil."}, {"text_idx": "#000026", "text": "His first match as caretaker coach is on Tuesday, in a friendly in Dortmund against World Cup runners-up France."}, {"text_idx": "#000034", "text": "Subaru develops EyeSight for manual transmission vehicles \u2013 first debut on the BRZ in Japan this fall"}, {"text_idx": "#000035", "text": "Japan urges power cuts for Tokyo homes, industries in summer"}, {"text_idx": "#000036", "text": "Japan wants 30% directors at top firms to be women"}]