Germany’s disappointing results less than a year before they host Euro 2024 are part of a process that will see the four-time world champions ready in time for the tournament, coach Hansi Flick said on Monday.

After crashing out of the World Cup in the first round in December last year for the second consecutive tournament, they have won just one of their four international matches since then — a victory over Peru in a friendly.

German fans were left whistling and jeering after their 3-3 draw at home against Ukraine and their 1-0 away loss to Poland last week but for Flick, who took over in 2021, they were all part of the team’s learning process.

“We the coaching staff and especially myself believe in the path we are on. We are seeing progress even if the result against Poland was viewed negatively,” Flick told a news conference.

“We cannot guarantee anything, unfortunately that is the case in football these days,” said Flick when asked about Germany’s chances of winning the European title on home soil next year. “Winning has become more difficult.”

Poland’s win over Germany was only their second victory in 90 years over them. Germany have now won only three of their last 10 matches.

Despite last week’s draw and the loss, Flick said he wanted to see the energy shown in their second half against Poland where Germany had several chances to level.

“We want to keep going our way. The team now has to deliver and try to win Tuesday's game (against Colombia),” Flick said.

“Then we can have a bit of a positive end to these matches but the development will continue. In September things will be completely different.”

Germany host Japan and France in September and also play the United States in October in friendly matches.

“We have a Euro. We will prepare for that so that you also can celebrate and be happy,” he told a journalist. “That’s what is fun. What happens now is part of football, part of life. But I will go my way without compromise. I can only say that I am convinced that we will go through the improvements that we want to see.”

Courtois leaves camp

Thibaut Courtois has left Belgium’s training camp ahead of a qualifying match, amid reports that the goalkeeper was frustrated not to be handed the captain’s armband in the previous game.

The Belgian federation confirmed that Courtois had left the camp and would miss Tuesday’s match in Estonia, but did not give a reason for his departure.

Belgian media reported on Monday that Courtois, who played in Belgium’s 1-1 draw against Austria on Saturday, was disappointed with coach Domenico Tedesco’s handling of the captaincy.

In the absence of Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who missed the match against Austria after picking up an injury in the Champions League final, Tedesco had given the captaincy duties to striker Romelu Lukaku, who responded by scoring Belgium’s equaliser.

The Het Nieuwsblad newspaper reported that Courtois — who has played 102 matches for the Red Devils — was vexed by the decision and did not show up when players gathered back at the team’s hotel to prepare for the Estonia game.

Tedesco had announced on Saturday that it would be Courtois’ turn to wear the armband against Estonia. Strasbourg goalkeeper Matz Sels is now expected to replace Courtois in goal.

Austria have a three-point lead over Belgium, who have one match in hand in Group F. While Belgium travel to Estonia, Austria host Sweden.