Horst Hrubesch would be available as interim women’s national coach at least in the short term if he missed the Olympic qualification.
From his point of view, such a “transitional period” is “completely normal, if it is meant to be that way. But that will be decided by the DFB, I am not involved in that,” said Hrubesch during a digital media round on Wednesday (February 14, 2024).
Looking for the long-term solution
The German Football Association is currently looking for a long-term solution for the position after the Olympic Games in the summer with the new sports director Nia Künzer. Hrubesch, who actually worked as a youth manager at Hamburger SV, reiterated: “You then have to take on a new coach and set goals that you want to achieve.”
Hrubesch’s goal with the German soccer players is clear: to win the Nations League semi-finals in France at the final tournament for Olympic qualification (February 23/28) and thus get their ticket to Paris 2024. The 73-year-old emphasized that he was “first and foremost about the girls,” but also admitted: “I would like to do the Olympics again and come to the Olympic Village again.” In 2016 he led the male German selection to silver in Rio de Janeiro.
Double chance for Hrubesch’s team
Thanks to the draw, the DFB women have a double chance of one of the two available European tickets, as France, as hosts, has already qualified for the Olympics. In the event of a defeat against Les Bleues in Lyon (9 p.m./ARD and in the live stream), third place would be enough to take part in the summer games. In the second semi-final, world champions Spain will meet the Netherlands.