WITH Germany suffering a World Cup group stage exit for a second straight tournament, an inquest into their awful campaign took place.
It saw Hansi Flick survive as boss – but German reports claim a “holiday feeling” in the camp contributed to the failure.
German FA (DFB) chiefs held a two-and-a-half-hour crisis meeting after crashing out of Group E behind Japan and Spain, according to Bild.
The same outlet reports DFB employees were “amazed” with what they saw at Germany’s plush Zulal Wellness Resort base, which was an hour-and-a-half drive away from Doha.
They booked out more than a quarter of the five-star rooms, and were given permission to invite their Wags to stay at the hotel for two nights ahead of the final group game against Costa Rica.
But that is said to have brought on problems.
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Bild claim a number of the Wags spent time taking selfies in the hotel swimming pool – while their partners were left taking care of the children.
It’s suggested not all of the players “liked” the situation that unfolded.
And the “holiday feel” in the hotel, which was 111 kilometres (69 miles) away from Doha, is reported to have contributed to the failure on the pitch.
Flick’s side followed up the visit from their Wags with a 4-2 win over Costa Rica.
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But it wasn’t enough to save them from an embarrassing elimination.
The Germans finished two points behind group winners Japan and level on points with Spain, but well behind the 2010 champions on goal difference.
A number of the players’ Wags were seen in the stands cheering on Germany before their premature exit.
Izabel Goulart, the supermodel fiancee of backup goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was seen in the crowd, with Kai Havertz’s partner of four years Sophie Weber also there.
And the reported Wags’ unrest could be one of the reasons DFB bosses concluded Flick remains the best person for the job going forward.
The boss declared after it was announced he was staying on: “My coaching team and I are optimistic about the European Championship in our own country.
“We as a team can achieve much more than we showed in Qatar.
“We have missed a great opportunity there. We will learn our lessons from that.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
