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Bayern Munich move closer to Bundesliga title as Hansi Flick confirms departure

The announcement by Hansi Flick, seen as the front-runner to take the Germany job after this year’s UEFA Euro, stole the spotlight from Jamal Musiala who led Bayern to a 3-2 win over Wolfsburg.

Bayern Munich carved out a crucial 3-2 win over VfL Wolfsburg to stay on course for a record-extending ninth consecutive league title on Saturday but their victory was eclipsed by coach Hansi Flick’s announcement he will leave at the end of the season.

The 56-year-old, who took over in November 2019 and led the Bavarians to a run of six domestic and international titles in the 2019/2020 season, said he had told the club and team of his wish to depart despite a contract running to 2023.

Earlier, Bayern teenager Jamal Musiala scored twice in the first half to steer them to a nervous win at third-placed Wolfsburg as they moved seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga standings with five matches left to play.

Three days after their Champions League quarter-final elimination by Paris St Germain, the Bavarians made almost certain of their first silverware of the season after RB Leipzig stumbled to a 0-0 draw against Hoffenheim on Friday.

The announcement by Flick, seen as front-runner to take the Germany job after this year’s European Championship, stole the spotlight from Musiala who put Bayern in front after 15 minutes when he weaved past three defenders in the box and fired home.

The 18-year-old Germany midfielder netted another with a looping header in the 37th to make it 3-1 and become the youngest player in Bundesliga history to score six league goals.

Musiala came close to a hat-trick a little later but his effort was cleared off the line.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting had doubled Bayern’s lead in the 24th, but Wolfsburg’s top striker Wout Weghorst cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 35th with his 19th goal of the campaign just before Musiala got his secondgoal.

The Wolves pulled another goal back in the 54th thanks to Maximilian Philipp but missed several chances to level through Weghorst and a Jerome Roussillon shot in the 84th minute that flew just wide of Manuel Neuer’s post.

Bayern have 68 points, with RB Leipzig second on 61. Wolfsburg held on to third spot with 54 points despite their defeat after Eintracht Frankfurt’s 4-0 loss to Borussia Moenchengladbach left them a point behind the Wolves in fourth.

The top four finishers automatically qualify for the Champions League group stage.

Last-placed Schalke 04 slumped to a 4-0 defeat at Freiburg that all but sealed their relegation. The Royal Blues are 13 points behind the relegation playoff spot occupied by Hertha Berlin with five games left.

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HANSI FLICK TO TAKE OVER GERMANY NATIONAL TEAM

Hansi Flick will leave Bayern Munich in the summer to take over from Joachim Low as coach of the Germany national team, Lothar Matthaus has said.

Flick has steered Bayern to success after success since taking over from Niko Kovac in November 2019, winning six trophies in 18 months in Bavaria.

Last month it was announced that Joachim Low will step down from his role as Germany head coach following Euro 2020 after asking to end his contract early, and Flick has been one of the names mentioned as a potential successor.

Speaking to Sky in Germany, Matthaus believes that Bayern’s Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain will persuade Flick to be the one to take over from Low.

“I already said two weeks ago that in my opinion, this is Hansi Flick’s last season,” he said. “I’ve said that Hansi Flick is right at the top of the DFB [German Football Federation] list, and then nothing else for a long time. There’s an offer from the DFB, yes.

“So, they want Hansi Flick and I think – or rather, I’m convinced – that Hansi Flick will no longer be Bayern coach after this season.

“That means the last game against Augsburg at home will be Hansi Flick’s last game as head coach of Bayern.”

And, according to former defender Matthaus, Bayern is already planning for Flick’s successor, with RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann identified as the man they want to come in.

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GERMANY STUNNED BY NORTH MACEDONIA IN FIRST WORLD CUP QUALIFYING LOSS SINCE 2001

Germany suffered a first World Cup qualifying defeat since being thrashed 5-1 by England 20 years ago following a shock 2-1 home loss to North Macedonia.

Eljif Elmas struck five minutes from time to secure a major upset in Duisburg and move the visitors level on six points with Joachim Low’s side in Group J.

The four-time world champions had been unbeaten in 31 successive World Cup qualifiers – dating back to the visit of Sven Goran Eriksson’s England to Munich in September 2001 – and looked to have salvaged a point after Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty cancelled out Goran Pandev’s opener.

Armenia are the surprise early front runners in that group after maintaining their 100 per cent start by mounting a late comeback to stun 10-man Romania with a 3-2 win.

A second-half double from Alexandru Cicaldau overturned Eduard Spertsyan’s debut goal to give the visitors the lead in Yerevan but, after George Puscas was dismissed for a dangerous challenge on Andre Calisir, Varazdat Haroyan levelled four minutes from time before Tigran Barseghyan won it with an 89th-minute penalty.

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Joshua Kimmich says calls to boycott FIFA World Cup in Qatar are ’10 years too late’

Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich said calls to boycott the 2022 World Cup in Qatar over the Gulf state’s alleged treatment of migrant workers building stadiums have come “10 years too late”.

Britain’s Guardian reported last month that at least 6,500 migrant workers – many working on World Cup projects – had died in Qatar since it won the right 10 years ago to stage the event, according to the newspaper’s calculations from official records.

Players of Germany, Norway and the Netherlands wore shirts before their World Cup qualifiers voicing concern over human rights in Qatar following the report.

“I think we’re 10 years too late to boycott the World Cup,” Kimmich said before Germany’s Group J World Cup qualifier away to Romania later on Sunday.

“It wasn’t allocated this year, but a couple of years ago. One should have thought about boycotting back then.

“Now we need to take the opportunity and use our publicity to raise awareness about things. But it’s not just down to us footballers … we should work together.”

The German Football Association (DFB) said on Friday it is opposed to boycotting the World Cup but will get behind the national team’s protest.

The German government also supported the players’ move, saying it reflected their commitment to democratic values.

“As footballers we have a certain responsibility,” Kimmich added. “We have the responsibility to talk about things. Regarding this topic, we tried that with a very spontaneous shirt activity.

“In football, you have the chance to point things out and we should continue doing that.”

Earlier, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said it would be a mistake for teams to boycott the World Cup in the wake of player protests.

On Thursday, a representative of the Qatari World Cup organisers said they had “always been transparent about the health and safety of workers”.

“Since construction (of stadiums) began in 2014, there have been three work-related fatalities and 35 non-work-related deaths,” the representative added.

“The SC has investigated each case, learning lessons to avoid any repeat in the future.”

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GERMANY PLAYERS WEAR T-SHIRTS IN PROTEST AGAINST QATAR’S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD

Germany players wore T-shirts to show support for Qatar migrant workers before their 2022 World Cup qualifying win over Iceland on Thursday.

The starting side each wore a black shirt with one letter in white on it that spelled out ‘Human rights’.

It follows Norway players wearing T-shirts bearing the message ‘Human rights on and off the pitch’ before facing Gibraltar on Wednesday.

The World Cup is scheduled to get under way in Qatar on 21 November next year.

“We have the World Cup coming up and there will be discussions about it,” said Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka, who scored his side’s opening goal in a 3-0 win in Duisburg.

“We wanted to show we are not ignoring that.

“We have a large reach and we can use it to set an example for the values we want to stand for.”

After Wednesday’s protest, football’s world governing body, Fifa, said Norway will not face “disciplinary proceedings”, adding that it “believes in the freedom of speech, and in the power of football as a force for good”.

A report in the Guardian last month

said 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar since the World Cup was awarded in 2010.

In response to that report, the Qatar organising committee said: “We deeply regret all of these tragedies and investigated each incident to ensure lessons were learned. We have always maintained transparency around this issue and dispute inaccurate claims around the number of workers who have died on our projects.”

The Qatari government said the “mortality rate among these communities is within the expected range for the size and demographics of the population”.

The country controversially beat rival bids from the United States, Australia, South Korea and Japan to host the tournament, with hundreds of thousands of construction workers arriving from overseas.

Qatar has been building seven new stadiums to stage the tournament, which has been moved to winter to avoid the country’s extreme summer heat.

Earlier this week, Amnesty International called on Fifa to press Qatar to honour promised labour reforms before the tournament.

In a four-page letter to Fifa president Gianni Infantino, the human rights organisation said “urgent and concrete action” was needed.

In response, the Qatar government said it “is committed to working closely with its international partners, including Amnesty International, to protect all workers and ensure the new laws are effectively implemented and enforced”.

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JOACHIM LOW TO QUIT GERMANY JOB AFTER EURO 2020

Joachim Low will step down from his role as Germany manager following Euro 2020 after asking to end his contract early, the German Football Association has announced.

Low, 61, took over from Jurgen Klinsmann in August 2006 and went on to guide Die Mannschaft to World Cup success in 2014, when they memorably defeated hosts Brazil 7–1 in the semi-finals.

Germany reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, losing to hosts France, but then suffered an exit at the group stage of the World Cup for the first time in 2018 while also failing to impress in the inaugural UEFA Nations League campaign.

Low, who was assistant to Klinsmann from 2004, had been contracted until the 2022 World Cup, but approached the German Football Association (DFB) to request an early departure following the conclusion of this summer’s delayed tournament.

“I take this step very consciously, full of pride and enormous gratitude, but at the same time continue to be very motivated when it comes to the upcoming European Championship,” Low said on www.dfb.de.

“Proud because it is something very special and an honour for me to be involved with my country and because I have been able to work with the best footballers in the country for almost 17 years and support them in their development.

“I have great triumphs with them and painful defeats, but above all many wonderful and magical moments – not just winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“I am and will remain grateful to the DFB, which has always provided me and the team with an ideal working environment.”

Germany are in Group F at Euro 2020, where they will face fellow heavyweights France and Portugal as well as Hungary, with all their matches set for the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Low has his sights set on leaving the job on a high.

“I still feel the unconditional will as well as great energy and ambition for the upcoming European Championship,” he said.

“I will do my best to make our fans happy and successful at this tournament. I also know that this applies to the entire team.”

DFB president Fritz Keller paid tribute to Low.

“The DFB knows what it has in Jogi, he is one of the greatest coaches in world football,” Keller said.

“Jogi Low has shaped German football like barely anyone else for years and helped it achieve the highest international standing. Not only because of his sporting achievements, but also because of his empathy and humanity.

“The fact that he informed us about his decision at an early stage is very decent.

“He gives us at the DFB the necessary time to name his successor, calmly and with a sense of proportion.”

DFB national teams director Oliver Bierhoff, who was part of the Germany side which won Euro 96 in England, hailed the “special relationship” between the governing body and head coach.

“Under Jogi, the national team once again stood for the joy of playing and attractive attacking football,” the former striker said.

“This team and its players have developed incredibly with him. I regret that our professional paths will separate after the Euros.

“I know that Jogi’s full concentration and energy in the next weeks and months will only be used to prepare for the European Championship and we will continue to have a big common goal in the summer.”

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COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS PREVENT KLOPP FROM ATTENDING MOTHER’S FUNERAL.

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp was unable to go to Germany for the funeral of his mother on Tuesday because of the current travel restrictions in place amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Klopp paid an emotional tribute to Elisabeth after her death, aged 81, but it is understood he could not attend the funeral in-person in his native Germany due to fears of spreading Covid-19 strains from high-risk countries.

“She meant everything to me. She was a real mum in the best sense of the word,” Klopp told German newspaper Schwarzwaelder Bote.

“As a devout Christian, I know she is in a better place now.

“The fact that I can’t be at the funeral is due to the terrible times, but as soon as the circumstances allow, we will hold a wonderful commemoration that is appropriate to it.”

On Wednesday, Liverpool tweeted a message of support for their manager which read: “You’ll never walk alone, Jurgen.”

A reply from the Premier League’s official account said: “The thoughts and condolences of everyone at the Premier League are with Jurgen, his family and his friends at such a difficult time.”

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LIVERPOOL TO BE DENIED PLAYING LEIPZIG UCL TIE IN GERMANY

Liverpool will not be allowed to play their Champions League round of 16 tie against RB Leipzig in Germany after being denied entry to the country.

The German government has banned all arrivals from countries affected by new coronavirus variants until February 17, the day after Liverpool were due in Leipzig, and an application for special permission for them to travel has been denied.

A statement from the German interior ministry, reported in local media, said: “The federal police has told the RB Leipzig club today that the circumstances of the given case do not meet the requirements for an exemption.”

UEFA has remained in touch with both clubs and the German Football Association, which has in turn been in contact with the German government.

Under such circumstances, Champions League regulations allow for a match to be moved to a neutral venue or for fixtures to be reversed.

However, the latter is not considered an option as Leipzig players would need to quarantine for 10 days upon their return from Liverpool under the current rules.

As it stands, the second leg is scheduled to take place at Anfield on March 10, by which point it is hoped restrictions will have been eased.

UEFA’s regulations put the onus on Leipzig to put forward proposals for an alternative venue and pay the associated costs of rearranging the game.

The club has until February 8 to come up with a solution or they could run the risk of a 3-0 forfeit.

A delay is also a possibility, with UEFA having said that all last-16 games must have been decided by April 2.

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SPAIN INFLICT HISTORIC DEFEAT ON GERMANY TO QUALIFY FOR UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE SEMIS.

Spain dealt Germany their worst defeat in 89 years on Tuesday as a stunning 6-0 victory in Seville sent them through to the Nations League semi-finals. Germany have not been beaten so heavily since losing to Austria by the same scoreline in a friendly in 1931.

“That hurt,” said German midfielder Toni Kroos. “The Spanish team showed us at every turn how it’s done — with and without the ball.” Serge Gnabry added: “There are no excuses. Now we know where we stand.”

Spain were as sublime as Germany were abysmal in Seville, where Ferran Torres scored a brilliant hat-trick to justify his reputation as one of football’s most exciting prospects.

Alvaro Morata and Rodri were also on target to make it 3-0 even before half-time and while Sergio Ramos went off with a hamstring strain, Germany failed to stem the tide.

Instead, Torres grabbed two more and Mikel Oyarzabal added a sixth late on to put the finishing touches to Germany’s second heaviest ever defeat, the only one worse being a 9-0 loss at the hands of England Amateurs in 1909.

Joachim Loew oversaw Germany winning the World Cup in 2014 but, after 14 years in charge, even he will be under serious pressure after a humiliation like this.

“It was a night where we did nothing well,” said Loew. “We lost every important battle.”

Asked if his job was under threat, Loew said: “I trust the players. They are a young team. I am not worried about my job.”

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INJURY SCARE FOR REAL MADRID AS SERGIO RAMOS LIMPS OUT OF GERMANY CLASH.

Real Madrid have been dealt a potential injury blow as Sergio Ramos walked out of Spain’s Nations League clash with Germany on Tuesday.

The defender went off before half-time and appeared to gesture to the back of his right thigh as he reached the touchline.

Spain were already 3-0 up when Ramos went off after goals from Alvaro Morata, Ferran Torres and Rodri.

Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane will be hoping Ramos’ withdrawal was precautionary with his team enjoying a healthy lead, as the Spanish champions have a number of important fixtures coming up.

They return from the international break with a trip to second-placed Villarreal on Saturday, knowing a win could take them to within a point of early leaders Real Sociedad at the top of the table.

League clashes with Deportivo Alaves and Sevilla are also coming up, while Madrid have work to do in the Champions League.

At the halfway point of the group stage, they are third in Group B, though only a point behind leaders Borussia Monchengladbach. Madrid play Inter and Shakhtar Donetsk away from home before finishing the group stage against Gladbach at their temporary European home, the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.

Immediately after that game is a derby clash with Atletico Madrid.

Ramos has been in the headlines in recent weeks, with some personal milestones reached and plenty of paper talk about his future at Madrid.

He recently scored his 100th goal for Real Madrid, before becoming the most-capped player in European international history as he passed the benchmark previously set by Gianluigi Buffon.

There has also been speculation that Ramos’ time at Madrid could be coming to an end. Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with a move but Goal understands PSG’s priority is to tie down star duo Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to new contracts.

Ramos is out of contract at the end of the season but Zidane has said he has no doubt the defender will sign a new deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I have no doubt that he will stay,” Zidane said in a press conference. “He is our leader and of course we love him forever.”