After the 4-2 defeat to Japan on Tuesday, Kuntz responded to fans’ calls for his resignation by saying his players needed to work harder and that he should not take all the blame.

Kuntz had said his players needed to respond to criticism on the field, not “in post-match interviews”, adding he was upset his players were not putting in their best performances.

DHA said Kuntz’s comments had soured relations with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), which yesterday informed him of its decision to part ways. It reported Kuntz’s contract, set to end after the Euro 2024 tournament, would be annulled.

There was no official statement from the TFF on the issue at the weekend. DHA said the federation would announce the move tomorrow.

Kuntz, a former Germany striker who also played for Turkish club Besiktas, was appointed in September 2021 after leading the German Under-21 team to European titles in 2017 and 2021. He has won 12, drawn three, and lost five out of 20 matches while in charge.

DHA said Kuntz’s assistant, Kenan Kocak, may manage the team during their Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia on Oct 12. It also said the TFF could bring former coach Abdullah Avci back for another stint or sign former Germany manager Joachim Loew.