When Hansi Flick took over as the new manager of Germany after the delayed Euro 2020 finals, it seemed like a match made in heaven.
The national team were in need of some fresh eyes at the top after 15 years of Joachim Low's reign, which, since the last taste of glory in the 2017 Confederations Cup, had long gone stale.
In Low's place would be his former assistant Flick, who was part of the set-up when Germany won the 2014 World Cup and fresh from a stunning spell as manager of Bayern Munich.
Flick, who led Bayern to six trophies in 2019/20 before adding the following season's Bundesliga crown, decided to leave the champions after 18 months, leaving him clear to take up the reins of the national team.
But a little over two years on from his first game – a 2–0 win in a World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein – the 58-year-old was relieved of his duties on Sunday.
The final straw was a humiliating 4-1 home thrashing by Japan 24 hours earlier, their fourth defeat in five outings, and Flick becomes the first Germany manager to be sacked since the role was created in 1926.
The move comes with Germany fearing humiliation on home soil as they host the Euro 2024 finals next summer.
Flick's assistants Marcus Sorg and Danny Rohl have also been dismissed while a successor will be announced at a later date.
German FA sporting director Rudi Voller, who managed the team from 2000 to 2004, takes temporary charge of a team that faces World Cup runners-up France in Dortmund on Tuesday. He will be assisted by Hannes Wolf and Sandro Wagner.
German FA president Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement: “The committee agreed that the German national team needs a fresh impetus after the recent disappointing results.
“Going into the European Championship next summer, we need confidence and optimism in the country regarding our team.
“This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make during my time in this role because I really respect Hansi Flick and his assistants, both on a professional and personal level.
“Sporting success is of the upmost importance to the DFB, which is why this decision had to be made.”
The writing looked on the wall for the beleaguered Flick following the demolition by Japan in Wolfsburg, which saw home fans booing the German team off at half-time, with some chanting “Hansi out” at the end of the match.
Junya Ito had scored first for Japan after 11 minutes, only for Bayern Munich attacker Leroy Sane to hit back for the home side.
Ayase Ueda finished from close range to restore Japan's lead midway through the opening half, before two late goals from Takuma Asano and Ao Tanaka sealed the win.
“The bottom line is that it was a well-deserved defeat. We had nothing up front in the second half,” admitted Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich.
“We haven't actually played a good game since the World Cup. This has to give us pause and we have to question our quality.”
Voller himself said: “We are all a little in shock … a defeat like that hurts. We should all do some soul searching and think about it. What happens next, we'll see.”
Earlier on Sunday, Flick had told fans “I'll keep fighting” while signing autographs at a training session but what happened next was brutal, particularly for a German set-up that generally gives its coaches time to make their mark.
Flick's downfall seems all the more remarkable considering he enjoyed a flying start to his new role, winning eight games on the spin only for form to disappear steadily from there.
At the World Cup in Qatar, Germany were knocked out after one win from three group-stage matches that included another defeat against the Japanese – a 2-1 loss in Doha.
Flick's Germany have played six times since that exit, five at home, but have won just once, while losing to Belgium, Poland, Columbia and now Japan.
Oman, Costa Rica and Peru are the only teams they have beaten in the past 12 months.
With Euro 2024 kicking-off next June, whoever replaces Flick in full-time charge has little time to turn around a German team in the middle of an unprecedented crisis.
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Company%20profile%20
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Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
1st Test July 26-30 in Galle
2nd Test August 3-7 in Colombo
3rd Test August 12-16 in Pallekele
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
FIGHT%20CARD
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RESULT
Manchester United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Man United: Dunk (66' og)
Man of the Match: Shane Duffy (Brighton)
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The five pillars of Islam
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5