French national coach Didier Deschamps was “not surprised” by the exit of national coach Hansi Flick shortly before the duel between the two national teams.
The 54-year-old said before the game this Tuesday (9 p.m./ARD) in Dortmund that he was sorry for Flick, whom he “respects very much.” “But we all know what happens when the results aren’t there.” He was surprised to have to talk about a team other than his own.
“What the German team has achieved in its history – there are high expectations,” said the 2018 world champion coach. “The last three tournaments were disappointing and recently there were defeats. That didn’t help.” But that doesn’t mean he underestimates the DFB selection. “They are players who play in the best clubs around the world.”
Deschamps is looking forward to seeing Völler again
Deschamps is looking forward to seeing Rudi Völler again. “It’s a great pleasure for me,” said the 54-year-old. “As an opponent. But as a human being he’s someone I respect a lot.” The two had played together for top French club Olympique Marseille in the early 1990s.
“He was a great striker,” Deschamps said of Völler, nine years his senior. “He had this drive on the field, he still has it. This zest for life. He was a great player and it’s just nice to have him there and see him.”
Völler returned the praise. “He contributed, as did I, to us winning the Champions League in 1993,” said the interim team boss. “In the late autumn of my career I think I was the oldest player and Didier was our captain.” Even back then it was clear that “he thought and spoke like a coach,” said Völler. “You could tell from him that he would have a great coaching career.”