Flick "both professionally and personally" affected by Bierhoff's exit

Former Germany striker

, stepped down from his role as Germany team director on Monday after Germany's early World Cup exit, saying he had come "

to an understanding on the matter with president Bernd Neuendorf".

With his own job at risk,

hails Bierhoff, describing him hard to replace, as many will see Bierhoff as a scapegoat for

's World Cup failure.

"

He pushed all of this forward with great personal commitment and against a great deal of resistance,

" Flick said. 

"At the moment, my coaching team and I are having a hard time imagining how the gap created by Oliver's departure can be closed, both professionally and personally.

"Our cooperation has always been characterised by loyalty, team spirit, trust and reliability. Cohesion was in the DNA of our team.

"Oliver was my first contact and friend within the team. Our common goal was the Euro 2024 project in Germany. For Oliver, the focus was always and exclusively on the well-being of the national team, the DFB and German football."

"I would like to thank him personally and as the national coach for this long collaboration and the invaluable trust that has been placed in us. Trust is and remains the greatest asset in football.

"The last few days have not been easy, and I wish Oliver and his family the very best from the bottom of my heart. German football and the national team in particular owe him an incredible amount."

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