Flick: Low criticism harsh as Germany need a Klose

Hansi Flick believes Joachim Low does not deserve to be criticised despite Germany’s shaky form and pointed to the lack of a natural centre-forward in the team.

Bayern Munich coach Flick previously served as Low’s assistant for their 2014 World Cup win and then moved into the role of DFB sporting director.

He is therefore well placed to assess the national team, who have drawn four of their five matches in 2020, edging Ukraine in their other fixture.

Low – coach since 2006 – is under pressure as a result, but he has Flick’s backing.

“Overall, I think the criticism is too harsh,” Flick said ahead of Bayern’s DFB-Pokal clash with Duren. “The work Jogi Low is doing is sensational.

“He is a great coach. That’s why we should remain objective and try to do things together.”

Joachim #Löw: “We did a lot well going forward, but we made mistakes at the back and we need to fix that. We showed good character to fight back – we battled hard.”#DieMannschaft #GERSUI pic.twitter.com/CH3NyT5nWV

— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) October 13, 2020

Despite Germany scoring three times against both Turkey and Switzerland but failing to win, Flick believes Low is clearly short in the striking department.

Miroslav Klose, Germany’s record goalscorer and the World Cup’s all-time leading marksman, is now Flick’s assistant.

“This was already a big topic when I was sporting director and it still is a big topic: there is no real central striker in Germany,” Flick said.

“Up front we have Serge Gnabry and Timo Werner, but they are far away from being a classic central striker.

“I have an amazing striker in my staff, Miro Klose. If he trains a few weeks, he should be fit to play. But I would prefer to keep him, I need him.”