The German legend Oliver Bierhoff is resigning from his position as sports director after the horror show at the 2022 World Cup

GERMANY legend Oliver Bierhoff is the first manager victim of his nation’s embarrassing World Cup exit.

The former striker has agreed to step down as chief executive of the country’s national football teams and academy.

3

3

It comes after Germany were eliminated in the group stage in Qatar after accumulating just four points in their games against Japan, Spain and Costa Rica and falling on goal difference.

The German FA said Bierhoff had agreed to prematurely end his contract, which was due to run until Euro 2024.

Germany are set to host this tournament, but there are concerns about the team’s direction after their second consecutive World Cup elimination in the group stage.

The failure comes after losing in the second round to England at Euro 2020 last year.

Bierhoff has worked for the German Football Association since 2004, with the nation winning the 2014 World Cup and 2017 Conferedations Cup, both under his supervision.

They also reached the final of Euro 2008 and reached three other semi-finals in major competitions during this period. However, after falling short in Qatar, Bierhoff decided to resign.

In a statement, he said: “I informed DFB President Bernd Neuendorf of my decision today.

“I clear the way for new decisions.”

He added: “My work is based on the conviction to do my best for the DFB and the national teams.

“But that only makes the men’s national team results at the World Cups in Russia and Qatar even more painful. That’s why I don’t leave without the necessary self-criticism.

“In the last four years we haven’t been able to build on previous successes and make the fans cheer.

“Some decisions we believed in turned out to be wrong. Nobody regrets that more than me. I take responsibility for that.”

3