‘I’m clearing the path for setting a new course’ – Oliver Bierhoff resigns as Germany’s sporting director following horrific World Cup display that saw them get knocked out in group stage

Oliver Bierhoff has resigned from his role as Germany’s sporting director with immediate effect.

The former striker was the director of Germany’s national teams and academy but has stepped down from all roles following a hugely disappointing World Cup campaign.

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Germany were tipped for a strong showing in Qatar but were eliminated from the group stage after amassing just four points from their matches against Japan, Spain and Costa Rica, crashing out on goal difference.

Given that Germany were considered as dark horses for the competition, elimination at the first hurdle was seen as a significant failure, particularly after being knocked out at the same stage at Russia 2018.

Bierhoff had been working for the German FA since 2004, with the nation winning the World Cup in 2014 and the Conferedations Cup in 2017, both under his watch.

They also reached the final of Euro 2008 and made it to three more semi-finals in major competitions in that time. However, after falling short in Qatar, Bierhoff decided to step aside.

In a statement, he said: “I’ve told German FA president Bernd Neuendorf of my decision today.

“I’m clearing the path for setting a new course.”

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He added: “My work was founded upon the conviction of doing my best for the German FA and the national teams.

“But that only makes the results of the men’s national team at the World Cups in Russia and Qatar more painful. That’s why I’m not leaving without the necessary self-criticism.

“We didn’t manage to repeat previous successes and to give supporters reason to cheer in the last four years.

“Some decisions we had been convinced of turned out wrong. No one regrets that more than me. I take responsibility for that.”