Though it is difficult to feel a huge amount of sympathy for the Germany national team, Die Mannschaft’s recent capitulation has been nothing short of astonishing.
This week the Netherlands heaped on more misery in front of a 50,000 strong crowd at the Johan Cruijff Arena in a 3-0 demolition of Joachim Löw's side in their first victory over Germany in 16 years.
Germany’s perfect World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign is becoming as distant a memory as 2014 when they grabbed their first trophy as a unified side, in Brazil, after defeating Argentina in the World Cup Final.
This year, humiliatingly knocked out of the group stages in Russia, and the demanded turn-around not forthcoming, it seems increasingly likely that their coach will not see out his contract, which runs until 2022.
Serial scratch-and-sniffer Joachim Löw is now under unprecedentedly immense pressure. The World Cup winner has been national team manager for an astonishing 12 years - across 169 matches - and was also assistant in a further two years alongside Jürgen Klinsmann.
However now with a succession of disappointing results, it may be time for Löw to move on, with The Sportsman looking at three potential destinations for the longest-serving manager and one of the most successful coaches in Germany’s national history.
Real Madrid
The drama of Julen Lopetegui’s appointment mere days before the culmination of the World Cup has seemingly continued in the months since his becoming Zinedine Zidane’s successor at Real Madrid.
Having accepted perhaps the most demanding, unforgiving job in management with a great deal of gusto, audaciously behind the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s back, Lopetegui was swiftly sacked on the eve of Spain’s first game against Portugal.
It has been far from sunshine and rainbows at club level however. Since beginning his tenure at Madrid, he has failed to adequately replace the gigantic void left by Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as confusing and compromising long-time stalwarts.
Toni Kroos is the latest name to speak out on his manager’s questionable tactics and it wouldn’t be surprising if the 28-year-old midfielder is pushing for a club reunion with Löw at the Santiago Bernabeu, elevated by his recent comments to defend the coach from scathing criticism by compatriot Michael Ballack.
Löw is currently at around 20/1 to replace the beleaguered Lopetegui in the Spanish capital .
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Bayern Munich
Though the Bavarians should allow time for new manager Niko Kovač to bleed his influence into the team - having impressed at former club Eintracht Frankfurt - the fact remains that Bayern Munich are in the uncomfortable position of currently sitting in seventh place in the Bundesliga, and are winless in their past four matches in all competitions.
This includes a demoralising 3-0 home loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach and drab draw with Ajax in the Champions League at the Allianz.
Löw, like Kovač a former ‘Launische Diva’ himself could be primed to return to club level with the most successful team in Germany.
Barcelona
What an appointment this could be!
Similar to perennial rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona’s start to the La Liga season has been unconvincing to say the least, with an uncharacteristically leaky defence at fault for dropped points. Granted, the Spanish top tier has been extremely dubious after eight games, with Sevilla topping the table and only seven points separating the relegation zone from European qualification.
Barcelona, as defending champions have only meekly won half of their games so far and Valverde is already said to having his doubts over his future at the club. Valverde also failed to make a convincing Champions League run last year, and Laurent Blanc, Ronaldo Koeman, and Quique Setien are said to be the frame to replace the Spaniard by publication Don Balon.
Barcelona have been in this position before, however, will the Blaugrana starting their defence of their 2015/16 title under Luis Enrique with a similar points tally, and thirteen years ago, Frank Rijkaard's Barcelona dropped 11 points in their opening seven games.
With tricky encounters around the corner with the table-toppers Sevilla, Internazionale, and Real Madrid, the move for Löw to replace Valverde may gain traction.
He's been seen celebrating the decision...
