Rudi Völler to the DFB? President Bernd Neuendorf praises potential Bierhoff successor

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Does he do the job at the DFB?

Rudi Völler still seems to be thinking about it

Photo: Ronald Wittek / dpa

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf praised Rudi Völler to the skies.

"I appreciate him immensely, we have a very good, trusting relationship - he's a real guy," he said of the ex-national player, who is considered a hot candidate to succeed Oliver Bierhoff at the German Football Association.

Völler is an absolute popular figure and also has “many professional qualifications”.

On the sidelines of the panel discussion in the German Sports and Olympic Museum in Cologne, the 61-year-old was cautious about the speculation about the successor to ex-CEO Bierhoff: "Many names have already been circulated, but we will take our time and take a look not participate in the name dropping«, says Neuendorf.

"A committee was created especially for this successor - they know the scene much better than I do, that's why they sit there," he said in relation to the five-man DFB task force, which Völler also belongs to.

The world champion of 1990 is therefore part of the decision-making process.

The external expert council around the native of Hesse was founded following the separation from Bierhoff, who had worked in various positions at the association for 18 years.

The group should ensure that the association and the national team around national coach Hansi Flick get out of their low with a view to the EM 2024 in Germany.

The search for a Bierhoff successor is high on the agenda of the committee, which meets next week for the next meeting, as Neuendorf confirmed on Thursday: "We will be able to decide promptly who fits our profile," said the DFB President .

Hertha managing director Fredi Bobic is said to have previously been a candidate, but he now emphasized that he had never applied for the post.

He is now also promoting Völler.

"When I hear the name Rudi Völler and someone asks me about it, I say: outstanding, full support," said the DFB board.

»What does the national team really need now?

Someone who is strong in communication, who can also unite,” said Bobic.

In his opinion, Völler fulfills this profile.

»I would have known about it much earlier, normally.

If it is that it is so.

I love Rudi," said the 51-year-old at the Berlin training camp in Florida (USA).

Völler knows the DFB very well.

The 1990 World Champion acted as team boss of the national team from 2000 to 2004.

In 2002, the national team became runners-up at the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

The "Bild" told Völler that his "life planning looks fundamentally different." The "kicker" reports that Völler could imagine a renewed engagement with the DFB, but asks for more time to think about it.

kjo/dpa/sid