Former Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel is reportedly the favourite to replace Hansi Flick as Germany manager, should the latter depart following the team's disappointing 2022 World Cup.

Germany ended their group-stage campaign with a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica, but it was not enough for them to progress to the last-16 stage of the competition.

Japan ultimately topped Group E, with Spain through in second position due to their superior goal difference over Germany, although both sides have now been eliminated from the competition.

Flick has been in charge of the national team since last August, boasting a record of 11 wins, six draws and two defeats from his 19 matches at the helm.

The 57-year-old has a contract with Germany until July 2024, but there has been speculation surrounding his future following the disappointment of the group-stage exit.

"I don't care about other teams because it is all up to us. If you look at the matches and the number of goals, it is our fault," Flick told reporters following the win over Costa Rica.

"I am convinced we had possibilities and chances in the (last) match against Spain to win, but you have to take those chances and score and then it would have been a different situation for us.

"There are so many reasons (for Germany's exit), but I am not looking to find excuses. We did not have a lot of time to train, but it is not down to that. We fulfilled our duty today and went off the pitch with a victory, but the result could have been better."

Meanwhile, when asked about his own future, Flick said: "Honestly, we have just been eliminated, but if you know me and know my team, you know that we can get up quickly and recover from that. That is very important and very decisive for the future.

"In light of the 2024 European Championship, it is difficult to talk about that right after an elimination. Now we need to assess our work here at the World Cup, head into a different direction, and this is the next step that we are going to undertake and we will do that very soon."

According to Kicker, Flick is considering resigning from his position, while Germany could also sack him following the disappointment of the competition in Qatar.

The report claims that Tuchel is among the favourites to take on the role, with the 49-year-old out of work since being surprisingly sacked by Chelsea in September.

Tuchel won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge, while he also secured silverware during his time in charge of Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain.

Germany lifted the World Cup in 2014 but have now been eliminated in the group stage of the last two tournaments in Russia and Qatar respectively. body check tags ::