Coach Hansi Flick has laughed off suggestions he will lose his job if Germany crash out of the World Cup at the group stage for the second tournament in a row.
Germany are on a knife-edge in Qatar, and must beat Costa Rica on Thursday and hope that Spain beat Japan to reach the last 16.
Flick masterminded a final training session before the Costa Rica clash and then maintained he had no plans to step down – although he admitted the decision was not his to take.
"Yes, from my side I can confirm [it won't be my last game]," Flick said with a smile.
"You never know what's around the corner but I am looking forward to Germany's home European Championships [in 2024].
"I have a contract until 2024. But that's still a long way away."
Depending on other results, Germany may need to win by as many as eight goals to avoid a second-successive group stage exit, but Flick said thoughts of goal difference had not entered their mind despite Germany "not having everything in our own hands".
"I think it's a little disrespectful to say we will score eight goals against Costa Rica. We would be happy just to win the game," he said.
Germany find themselves in this position because they suffered a shock defeat in their first match to Japan before snatching a draw with Spain.
Flick insisted he did not feel under pressure ahead of the crucial match.
"What is pressure? In this situation we are playing to go into the round of 16, it's nice and that's why we are here.
"I don't feel any pressure. I didn't feel it after Japan and I don't feel it now."
Pictures of the German squad in their final training session before the key match can be seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, just swipe.
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The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
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House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
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most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
